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The start of a new year is always a great time to try and make changes and improvements, but this year, it’s perhaps more important than ever before to embrace healthy living. In this guide, we’ll look at some small steps you can take as a family to make a big difference.
Active lifestyles
It can be challenging to get up off the sofa or leave your desk to do a workout at the best of times, but when it’s freezing outside and skies are grey, it’s especially tough. If your motivation levels are low, it’s a brilliant idea to try and get active as a family. Physical activity is hugely beneficial for both physical and mental health and it can offer really fun ways to spend time together. Inactivity can increase the risk of obesity, heart disease and type 2 diabetes, and it can also impact psychological wellbeing. Try and increase activity levels gradually and vary activities to keep the kids engaged. You can follow online workouts at home, get involved in virtual group sessions or use home gym equipment for adults-only training sessions and you can also enjoy adventures in the great outdoors. Get your bikes out or go for a walk to get your heart beating, your muscles working and breathe in some fresh air. If you have young children who tend to get bored easily, make your daily walks more fun by following nature trails, creating games to play en route or organising a treasure hunt. Experts recommend 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week for adults and 60 minutes per day for children.
Image credit: https://www.pexels.com/photo/people-walking-1766696/
Hygiene and handwashing
We are in the midst of a pandemic, and it has never been more important to follow simple steps to protect against illnesses, which spread quickly, especially in the winter. Encourage your children to wash their hands on a regular basis, set a good example and talk to them about why hand washing is beneficial. Keep your home clean and tidy and adopt good personal hygiene habits. If children learn to wash their hands properly at an early age, this will have benefits for the rest of their life. If you don’t already have a supply of hand wash, sanitiser and cleaning products from companies like Dettol, don’t hesitate to add them to your basket. Washing hands can lower the risk of contracting and spreading illnesses, including Covid-19, coughs and colds. It’s also a good idea to ensure that you’re up to speed with the latest advice on disinfecting items you bring into your home and wearing face masks.
Sleep, rest and downtime
Sleep is essential for adults and children. Many parents devote a huge amount of time and effort to establishing routines for their kids, but they neglect their own downtime. As well as encouraging your children to stick to a regime, ensure that you have sufficient time to sleep and to relax and recharge your batteries. Take 20 minutes or an hour each evening to do something that helps you to feel calm before you go to bed and try to go to sleep at the same time every evening. Run a bath, read a book, listen to music, watch TV, catch up with a friend or sibling on the phone or meditate. Use your time to unwind, enjoy a moment to yourself and prepare yourself for sleep.
Picture via https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-in-black-tank-top-lying-on-bed-4980311/
Talking and having fun together
Being healthy isn’t just about having a healthy body. It’s also critical to prioritise mental health, especially at a time when many people feel anxious or worried. As a family, try to spend quality time together and encourage open conversation. Talk to your children about how they feel and make sure they feel able to ask questions or raise concerns. As well as talking to each other, it’s also hugely beneficial to have fun as a family. Make time for activities that everyone enjoys and schedule breaks away from work and home-schooling. There are so many things you can to make the most of the time you have and put smiles on faces. From rainy day activities like painting, baking, role play, playing board games and cuddling up on the couch in front of a film to outdoor pursuits like bike rides, games of football in the garden and family walks, it’s possible to have fun, even during a lockdown.
Health checks and appointments
It’s not always possible to keep illnesses at bay, but keeping up to date with health checks and appointments is an effective means of reducing risks. Make sure you respond to reminders and don’t hesitate to seek advice if you have any concerns. If you haven’t been to the dentist for as long as you can remember or you need to book eye tests or hearing assessments, make some calls today. It may not be possible to access all routine services at the moment, but it’s important to stay on top of checks as best you can. Dental examinations, for example, can reduce the risk of developing gum disease and decay dramatically, and for adults, they also play a crucial role in enabling dentists to identify early warning signs of diseases such as oral cancer. Many of us are apprehensive about going to the dentist or the doctor, but we often increase anxiety by waiting too long and creating scenarios in our heads that are much worse than the real-life situation. Check-ups at the dentist only last a few minutes and there is no pain involved. If you keep up with frequent appointments, you’ll only need to go once or twice a year and you’ll get used to the sights and sounds of the treatment room, which will help to ease anxiety.
Picture from https://pixabay.com/photos/dentist-patient-dental-care-medical-428646/
It’s the start of a new year and what better time to try and embrace healthy living? If you’re keen to set a good example for your children, and you want to improve your health and wellbeing as a family, you don’t have to overhaul your lifestyle. These small steps can make a big difference.
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