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It is easy to get caught up in all of the latest fads promising a quick fix to all of your health and wellness woes. Rather than trying to wade through the latest trends, you are better off focusing on the proven methods to improve the health of yourself and your loved ones. Here are five health tips that you can employ to benefit your family this year.
Make Exercise a Family Affair
You can support good exercise habits for your children by making physical activity a family affair. For younger children, make it a habit to visit parks and playgrounds as a family. Your local YMCA is also a great resource for finding activities that the whole family can enjoy.
When your children get older, consider scheduling weekly bike rides or hikes in the great outdoors. Another fun activity to do as a family is to sign up for a local 5k and spend time training for it together. It does not matter what you do to get moving. The goal is to make it fun for everyone to work up a sweat.
Stay on Top of Preventative Medical Checkups
One of the best things that you can do for your family’s health is stay on top of all medical checkups. When it comes to your family’s health and wellness, it is true that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. In addition to keeping current on all of your regular medical checkups, it is also important to not neglect dental and eye exams.
Do not wait until someone in your family is complaining of blurry vision to schedule an eye exam. Regular eye exams with Bowersox Vision Center will ensure that your family’s eyes are being monitored by the professionals. This will promote the early detection of serious eye issues such as macular degeneration and glaucoma.
Prioritize Sleep
It is tempting to fall into the trap of over-scheduling your family because you want them to have every opportunity to succeed. However, all of this fun and enrichment should not come at the expense of proper sleep. People of every age require a good night of sleep to function at optimal levels.
While kids may push back on a strict bedtime, it is important to ensure that they are getting the recommended amount of sleep each night for their age group. Quality sleep will boost the body’s immune system, support academic success, and improve mood. As a parent, you can be a good role model by prioritizing sleep for yourself as well. Everyone will be happier and less stressed if sleep is a priority in your house.
Pay Attention to Mental Health
All of the focus on physical health does not mean anything if mental health is suffering. The ongoing pandemic has created a mental health crisis for many children and teens. Your job as a parent is to recognize when your child may be dealing with mental health struggles so that you can take the appropriate steps.
Nearly everyone can benefit from seeing a trained mental health counselor. You may even find that family therapy is a good idea for your group. The important thing is to take the stigma out of mental health so that your children feel comfortable coming to you.
Sit Down Together for One Meal Per Day
Gathering together as a family at the end of the day for dinner is one of the best habits that you can instill. Eating together with parents is associated with better food choices, particularly for teenagers. Not only is everyone more likely to make good nutritional choices but you will also share in an important emotional connection. This time together to share the events of the day will also improve communication skills for children while boosting their self-esteem.
For many busy families juggling after school sports and other activities, it can be challenging to find a dinner time that works for everyone. However, you do not need to limit yourself to making dinner your preferred family meal time. If breakfast works easier for you, your family will find the same connection through food gathered around the table to start the day rather than end it.
Conclusion
Following these five steps will put you on the path to better health this year for yourself and your loved ones.
