Tips to Stay Healthy and Active for the Whole Family

It’s important to ensure your child stays healthy and active. With school starting back up, it can be difficult to fit healthy living into your family’s busy routine. But how can you keep your child active, engaged, and healthy, all while having fun?

There are a few simple ways to add healthy habits to your whole family’s daily lives, and these tips from a wellness expert will explore safe, fun ways to incorporate activity and nutrition for all ages!

1. Practice what you preach! As parents, you may often feel as if you never have enough time. But did you know that it’s recommended adults complete up to 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate physical activity per day?

With your busy schedule, it’s important to find times throughout the day when you can exercise. The best part is, once your kids see you doing it, they’ll want to do it too! If you participate in daily physical activity, even if it’s broken up into 10- to 15-minute increments, your kids will see that exercise can be a normal part of their day.

Kids should complete an hour or more of physical activity every day, so a great way to get it done is to get the whole family involved. Set expectations for yourself and your children so you can all celebrate accomplishments and achieve goals together!

2. Think outside the box. Exercise is often watered down to whatever you can complete in a gym. But when it comes to keeping kids active and healthy, they can engage in a variety of activities that activate their muscles and their minds!

Recently, parents and kids alike had to get creative with ways to stay moving in and around the house. Fun activities you can do as a family include sports like basketball, softball, and kickball, but you can also try unique games like hop scotch, or other activities like going on walks, hiking nature trails, and much more.

If you’re looking to multi-task, another uncommon exercise can be active chores! Sweeping, vacuuming and other tasks around the house can get your kids away from their screens and take a few items off your to-do list at the same time.

3. Make nutrition a family activity. Trips to the grocery store are often less than glamorous, especially from a kid’s perspective, but you can get your child involved in how you shop for food and have a hand in their own nutrition.

From reading nutrition facts labels to shopping the perimeter of the store where fresh, healthier ingredients are usually found, your kids will be more enthusiastic about healthy eating if they feel involved.

Another activity to try with your family is to locate your nearest farmer’s market and pay a visit. Kids can select fresh ingredients, and throwing them together in the kitchen can be a family affair. Shopping for, cooking, and eating healthy foods together can help everyone at the table feel involved in the family’s healthy lifestyle.

As we all navigate this new normal, it’s vital to prioritize your family’s health. Kids need healthy options for activities and meals to keep them engaged and active, and the whole family can benefit from healthier habits. Try these tips with your family to promote a healthy lifestyle in your home! Ensuring your family stays active and engaged is the first step to protecting your child’s health.