Families of all shapes and sizes can learn to stay healthy together and have fun doing it. A strong, healthy family starts with strong, healthy members. According to a report in the Nursing & Care Open Access Journal, families form the basis for good health and quality of life. There are 3 key elements for a healthy family lifestyle:
- Physical Health
- Mental Health
- Emotional Health
3 Key Elements For A Healthy Family Lifestyle
1. Physical Health
Your family’s physical health is vital for a healthy family lifestyle. Studies in BMC Public Health and the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior state that physical activity and a healthy diet are key for good physical health. As a parent, you have the opportunity to model healthy behavior and teach your children how to live healthily. There are many healthy activities you can do together as a family.
- Take a Walk
- Play Tag
- Get Outside
- Clean the House
- Plan Physical Activities on Vacation
- Have a Healthy Breakfast
- Eat Dinner Together
- Reward with Praise, Not Food
- Have Children Plan and Cook One Meal a Week
Taking a walk together is quality family time. Not only does everyone get exercise, but you can also spend time talking, laughing, and learning about the world together. Play tag, hide and seek, hopscotch, or other active games with your children. When the weather is nice, spend time outside.
Children can help with yard work, play with the dog, or have races. When you’re inside, work together to clean the house. Learning how to care for their environment is physically, mentally, and emotionally good for your children. And, when you plan a vacation, include physical activities whenever possible. While there is a lot to see on vacation, there is also a lot to do.
Meal Times
Start your family’s day right with a healthy breakfast. A study in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that eating a healthy breakfast positively affects children’s behavior and school performance.
Eating dinner together is another way to spend time with your family to be physically healthy and bring you closer together emotionally. Reward yourself and your children with praise, not food. A study in EMBO Reports states that overeating can lead to obesity and an increased risk of chronic diseases. Including the entire family in meal planning and preparation is another way to live healthily for everyone.
2. Mental Health
Your family’s minds need to stay active too. Of course, children learn as they grow, but you can make learning a family activity that helps you live healthy together. The key is to be curious and explore the world around you and teach your children to view learning the same way. Examples of family activities for learning include:
- Educational Games
- Scavenger Hunts
- Performances
- Science Experiments
- Geocaching
Playing education games together helps your children value learning. You can create scavenger hunts for state capitols, countries on a map, or historical figures. Helping your children perform a magic show or dance routine for the family allows everyone to learn how to participate as a performer and audience member.
Doing science experiments together is educational and fun. Geocaching uses the Global Positioning System (GPS) and creates an adventure locating map coordinates in your neighborhood.
3. Emotional Health
According to the American Phycological Association, emotional health is as important as physical health. A person’s emotional health determines how they feel and act. Building strong emotional bonds within your family gives everyone the opportunity for support and understanding. Many activities for physical health, when done as a family, also improve emotional help. Additional activities include:
- Gratitude Jar
- Volunteering
- Forgiveness
Have everyone in your family contribute to a gratitude jar by writing down something they are grateful for during the week. Then read the contents of the gratitude jar together during a family dinner. Volunteering as a family teaches children compassion and expands their perception of themselves and the world.
Remember to forgive all your family members when they make a mistake. Mistakes and failures are a part of life, and families should be safe places to learn, grow, and live healthy.
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