Don't Just Sit There

Introduction

Movement boosts the feel-good chemicals in your brain. Moving for as little as 5 minutes can help you feel better when you are stressed. Let's talk about some of the important things to know about move:

• Your mood influences your desire to move.
• Sometimes you need to motivate your mood and talk yourself into moving.
• You can decide to turn your “I won't move” around to “I will move.”
• When moving is fun, it is easier to talk yourself into moving.

Q: Which statement would you use to talk yourself into moving?
A: (Kids choose 1 or more statements)

• Moving boosts my energy.
• I have fun when I move.
• Moving is a fit choice. 

This activity will help you learn more about how your feelings and emotions influence how often you move throughout each day. 

Activity Instructions

1. Kids continue to stand in a circle and march in place. 
2. Draw a Mood Activity Card and show the kids. 
3. Ask, "Would it be easy for you to move if you are feeling _______ ?" (state feeling or emotion on the card).
   • If the answer is yes, shout out a move (run in place, jumping jacks, reach high, etc.) for the kids to do while you count to 5.
   • If the answer is no: The kids shout, “I need to turn my ‘I won't move’ around to ‘I will move!” as each person jumps and turns in a circle to reface the leader. 
4. Continue activity for the time allotted.

Reflections

Q: You're tired and a sugary snack with your tablet sounds perfect. What is a fit choice you can make?
A: Decide to motivate your mood. Get up and move! Stand up and stretch, hop, skip, jump, play a game, exercise, play outside, take a walk, dance, or whatever you choose! Mood influences your desire to move.

Challenge

Motivate your mood tonight. If you find yourself sitting on the couch, get up and use positive self-talk to turn your “I won't move” around to “I will move.”