5 Healthy Family Habits

It can be hard to keep track of everyone in the family unit at times. Between school, sports, work and studying it can be difficult to coordinate everyone and keep the family connected, healthy, and happy. We have some tips to help develop some healthy family habits!

1) Eat Together

Obviously it’s not possible to eat every single meal together if you are working and your kids are in school all day etc, but you should try and eat at least one meal a day as a family. For most families this meal is usually dinner. But whether it is breakfast or dinner, eating together is a great way to reconnect. Discussing the days events, or plans for the day ahead is a great way to bond as a family. For younger children, being spoken to over meals is great developmentally.

2) Eat Healthy

Leading by example is usually the best way to send a message to your kids. By eating healthy at mealtimes you set them up for a future of being able to make healthy choices. Add your healthy meals to things to talk about at your family meals. Discussing the how and why behind the benefits of certain foods can help your children create and maintain a healthy relationship with food. You can find some kid friendly healthy meals here.

3) Create A Family ‘Fun Time’ Routine

Family fun time is a great activity to plan weekly or bi-weekly depending on your routine. This is also a good thing to have in place if you find it difficult to sit down for a meal with your kids everyday due to work scheduling etc. It can be something like sitting down to watch a Disney movie every week, or change it up and do something every weekend or second weekend. Trips to the cinema, a museum or a walk around the park in summer are all great ways to spend time with your family and create a healthy relationship.

Photo by Sai De Silva on Unsplash.

4) Turn Off All Devices

When spending time together, make sure all members of the family are present by requesting all phones, tablets, laptops be put down and/or switched off. That includes Mam and Dads devices too. This gives everyone that much needed break from screen time but also ensures everyone has the chance to share and everyone is paying attention to each other.

Photo by Lauren Mancke on Unsplash.

5) Support Each Other

It’s important that everyone in the family unit feels supported in their endeavours. Whether it is pursuing a promotion in work or making friends in preschool. Again, talking about your day and sharing your thoughts and experiences over meals or during a walk can help open up communication in the family.