Intro
Being a parent and raising kids, while working and fulfilling other obligations can be overwhelming and challenging at times. You can easily lose focus on what really matters during these tough times. And that’s kids and their physical and mental wellbeing. It is essential to model good lifestyle habits when they’re still young. You, as parents should be role models. You should show your kids with your own example how to live a healthy and active lifestyle. Start by including them in various activities as well as showing them practically how to be healthier and more active.
Our lifestyle is comprised of several key aspects. You should tackle all of them to live a healthy and active lifestyle. So, start with a nutrient-rich and well-balanced diet. You should try to live a generally mindful life – more on that later. Moreover, it is beneficial to be physically active together as a family. Also, sleep matters so make sure that you’re all getting enough quality sleep. And lastly, remember to limit screentime. Keep reading to learn more about how to live a healthier and more active life with your kids.
- Eat a nutrient-rich and well-balanced diet
You can’t actually live a healthy lifestyle without proper food. You should base your diet on fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, protein and dairy. Quality groceries will make your lifestyle so much healthier. Start with a healthy breakfast, together as a family, if possible. Your kids will eat what you eat if you teach them that from a very young age. Make sure that you eat slowly and chew your food well. Serve several smaller portions a day. Also, drink plenty of fluid, preferably water. You can also incorporate low-fat milk or low-calorie beverages. When they are old enough, you can get your kids to help you plan out some meals for the week.
- Live a generally mindful life
To live a generally mindful life, together as a family, you should pay attention to several things. First of all, you should try to be eco-friendlier and you should teach your children the same thing as well. For instance, you can recycle paper, glass and plastic. You can donate things you no longer wear. You should spend your money locally. So, instead of ordering things from abroad, you can purchase the items you need from your country. In that way, you can help your community and local businesses thrive. You can even combine this mindfulness and sustainability. If you live in Sydney, you can order organic baby clothes in Australia, rather than from somewhere abroad. Moreover, you should also teach your kids to be kind, polite and compassionate by showing them that by your own example.
- Be physically active together as a family
Physical activity brings us plenty of benefits. However, many kinds aren’t as active as they are supposed to be nowadays. That’s why we’re struggling with obesity and different illnesses stemming from it. To reap all the benefits, kids should be active for at least 60 minutes a day. To encourage that and more, you can get the whole family moving. You can do different activities together. For example, you can go for a walk, for a run, for a swim, you can play football/basketball/volleyball/badminton or you can ride bikes. All these activities can be lots of fun once you start practising them on a weekly basis. Kids will surely love them if you show them that they are interactive and amusing.
- Get enough quality sleep
When we sleep, we restore our energy levels. We also give our brains the opportunity to recover and repair damaged cells. For children, sleep is especially important as it helps them develop. You should instil good sleeping habits. They should get enough night’s quality sleep. Your kids should have a quiet and dark room for sleeping, their bed and bedding should be comfortable and soft. Be careful not to overwhelm them with daily activities. Kids should also have plenty of time to rest and for free play.
- Limit screentime
It is inevitable to spend at least some time every day looking at some kind of screen. It is often a part of a regular routine at work or school. Phones, tablets and computers are also used for fun. However, it’s easy to go overboard using them, especially for kids. That’s why it’s the parents’ role to limit screen time. Kids shouldn’t spend too much time looking at screens. Nevertheless, you can enjoy the screen time together as a family by watching a movie together – it’s also beneficial for kids and their development.
It can sometimes be tough to live a healthy and active lifestyle as a family. But once you make it a routine, it becomes much easier. Hopefully, these tips help you start making changes.
