Exercise can strengthen your bonds.
Exercising is a great way to meet friends and stay connected with loved ones. Joining a gym or walking club can help you connect with new people. Trying a team sport can give you a new support group — whether you’re with bowlers or volleyball players. And the benefits go both ways: Working out can help you get connected — and being connected can help you stick to your workouts. In one study, significantly more people who exercised with their spouse were able to stick to their workout goals.
You can also exercise with your kids: One study found that high-school kids who exercise more frequently also have better relationships with their parents and spend more time in organized sports. Consider coaching or refereeing your kids’ teams. Or let the dinner dishes soak and take the family out for an after-dinner walk. Use the time to chat with the kids, share the day’s news with your spouse, or check out neighborhood gardens and houses for home-improvement ideas. (You’re also less likely to get heartburn after a meal if you get moving instead of hitting the couch for a nap.)
More interested in making connections at work? Many companies have football, baseball, softball and volleyball leagues. Or get a bunch of coworkers to join you for lunchtime or break-time walks. You can even enter local 5K walks or runs as a corporate team. You don’t need to get active alone!
