The Daily Mile is an initiative designed to improve the health, fitness and overall well being of children from all backgrounds. It encourages children to run or jog a mile a day during school hours, in addition to the activity that they engage in during lunch times, PE sessions and after school.
As it only takes an additional 15 minutes out of the day, you may be wondering if The Daily Mile is effective, but in fact, the benefits are numerous. And it’s for this reason that well over 4 million children in 90 countries are now running a mile a day.
Why Do The Daily Mile?
The most obvious benefit to doing The Daily Mile is the massive potential for improved fitness. Research shows that it can improve fitness by 9%, leg strength by 5% and lead to a 4% reduction in body fat. In a day and age where childhood obesity is rising to a worrying extent, especially in the UK, this is a quick and easy way to improve fitness among children.
The benefits of doing a Daily Mile aren’t only limited to improved fitness, strength and fat loss, however. Researchers have found that regular exercise can help to improve alertness, memory and focus which can only benefit children’s achievement and raise their potential in the classroom. Not only that, cardiovascular exercise such as this can boost the mood, giving children a happier experience of their time at school, improving their mental health and making them more willing to learn.
Children can run or jog at their own pace for 15 minutes and the scheme is entirely adaptable, which makes it available to children of all abilities. Other benefits of implementing The Daily Mile for school children can include the following:
- It’s a form of exercise which is affordable and easy to do
- Children achieve a third of the World Health Organisation’s daily physical activity target
- Improved interaction among children and staff
- Raised awareness of the importance of physical activity
- Help to ward off diseases associated with obesity
- Giving children from inner-city or deprived areas (where physical activity is lowest) the opportunity for exercise
- Children get the benefits of running outside in the fresh air
- No set up or equipment is required
- It’s a non-competitive opportunity to get enjoyment from exercise
- It can lead to a positive impact on behaviour
- It can improve sleep quality, confidence and resilience
How To Get Involved In The Daily Mile
In addition to the benefits mentioned above, there is also no mess or fuss involved in taking part in The Daily Mile. Children can run on the playground in their own clothes and return to lessons straight away, even more alert than they were before, with no changing time required. And it takes no preparation time or clear up afterwards.
Once you decide to get your school involved, it’s really easy to get started. Simply visit The Daily Mile website and sign up. If your school is in the UK, you will receive a free welcome pack through the post.
If your school is already doing The Daily Mile then it’s time to spread the word about how effective it can be. Talk to parents and teachers at other schools about The Daily Mile and give even more children the chance of a fitter, healthier, happier and more active lifestyle.