Healthy Habits for Healthy Families

Tips for a healthy family

Exercise:

Exercise is essential to help children develop healthy bodies and minds, as well as encouraging gross motor development. Create time during the day to exercise and encourage your children to spend active time outdoors. A family walk a few times a week is a great way to get everyone into the fresh air and moving.

Children who are physically active tend to be healthier, happier (with better self-esteem and self-confidence), and better learners, since physical activity improves their ability to focus and concentrate.

Good eating habits:

Everyone needs a variety of foods for a healthy mind and body. Good nutrition is even more important for children because they’re actively growing and developing. Ensure that the majority of the foods in your home are healthy.

Have meals as a family. Family meals are not only a good opportunity to share in your children’s lives, they also are the perfect venue to talk about healthy eating habits and engage your children in conversations about what a healthy meal looks and tastes like.

Gentle discipline:

Happy, secure children have firm limits and boundaries on their behaviour, as well as loads of love and laughter, so make sure that firm, gentle discipline is an integral part of your family life.

Healthy TV and computer time:

Make sure you limit your kids screen time to no more than 1-2 hours per day. Ask them to decide how they would like to use their 1-2 hours of this time. Avoid putting a television in your children's bedrooms.  Keep the computer in a family area. Limit other sedentary activities, such as text messaging or chatting on the phone.

Sleep:

Make sure the whole family gets enough sleep. Establish good bedtime routines and limit stimulation around bedtime and during the night.Getting a good balance in all of these areas of life will help every family member lead a positive and happy life.

A healthy family environment is a major part of having a healthy child. Making the healthy choice the easiest choice will help increase the overall well-being for everyone in your family.