Some kids are more active than others, but if you want your children to grow up to be happier, then you should allow them go a bit crazy from time to time. That’s according to Norwegian researchers who attached accelerometers to measure physical activity in just under 800 children at age six and questioned their parents about their mental health. They repeated the experiment when revisiting the same children at age eight and ten and found that being active or ‘roughhousing’ didn’t only offer physical benefits – it also seemed to protect against depression and low mood.
So, next time your children are haring round the garden or home, think twice before telling them to ‘go easy’. By encouraging your children to be active, you could also be helping them to become fun-loving, happy, healthy adults also. And, as most experts agree, happier kids generally turn into more successful, accomplished adults.
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