As a parent, your main priority is to maintain the health of your child from the moment they are born through to adulthood. However, with the hecticness of daily schedules, it can often be difficult to prioritize healthy habits. Yet, taking the time to make small adjustments to your everyday lifestyle can help your loved ones’ ward off illnesses, as well as boost mental health and general well-being.
Health is the most important gift in life, so now is the time to start making minor changes to your lifestyle to ensure your family remains in the best of health.
Here are some of the best ways to keep your family healthy:
1. Exercise Together
While you may have busy and conflicting schedules, spending time together is crucial. Instead of curling up in front of the TV, why not get outside into the fresh air?
Making time for exercise gets the blood pumping and can prevent severe illnesses in the long term, such as heart disease and cancer. What’s more, the endorphins released in the brain during physical activity can decrease anxiety and depression.
Making exercise fun is key. Play backyard sports, such as basketball or football, venture on cycle rides or go swimming. These are all activities that the whole family can enjoy together.
2. Visit the Dentist
Dental appointments shouldn’t be made as soon as you encounter an issue with your teeth. You should be booking regular appointments with a professional dental surgery, such as northwickmanordental.co.uk, for each family member. In doing so, you are taking precautions against common dental issues, such as tooth decay and gum disease, occurring. Additionally, by taking your children for dental check-ups, they are far less likely to suffer from dentophobia and pay attention to tooth care from a very early age.
3. Get Quality Sleep
The bedtime routine can often be difficult with young children, especially when they refuse to go to bed at the designated time slot. This issue can continue for years unless you set boundaries. It’s wise to establish a sleep schedule for all family members on a 7-day per week basis so that there is no confusion or disagreements.
Aim to limit screen time in the hours leading up to bedtime, as studies show that the blue light exposure emitted from these devices keeps the brain active and disrupts sleeping patterns. Also, aim to keep the room at a comfortable temperature and create a quiet, dark, and relaxing environment to encourage rest and natural sleep.
4. Eat Your 5 a Day
When preparing meals for the family, aim to include a selection of fruit and vegetables to ensure everyone is getting their 5 A Day. Fruits and vegetables contain vitamins, minerals, and fiber, and are a key part of a balanced diet.
It’s easier than you think to include 5 a Day within your diet. Some examples include adding raisins and sultanas to your breakfast cereal, colorful chopped vegetables as sandwich fillings for lunchtime, and a vegetable hearty stew for dinner.
