As parents, we all want the best for our
children. We want them to be happy, healthy and successful. One of the most
valuable gifts we can give them is a foundation for a lifetime of healthy
living. Tajizuri
shares some tips for helping your child develop healthy habits that they can
carry with them throughout their lives!
1. Make Time for Daily
Walks
We all agree that life can get busy and overwhelming, however creating
time for walking is one of the simplest and most effective ways to improve
overall health. It strengthens bones and muscles, improves cardiovascular health, helps maintain
a healthy weight, and optimizes mental health. Additionally, walking can boost
both your and your child’s mood and reduce stress levels, making it a valuable
activity for both physical and mental well-being and even better when the time is
shared with family as a means of bonding.
2. Encourage Consistent
Exercise
Encourage your children to engage in other
physical indoor and outdoor activities they enjoy like swimming, dancing,
biking, or playing sports for overall health. Allocate time each day for physical activity (30
minutes is an effective and achievable goal) and involve the whole family to
model the importance of physical activity and make it fun and wholesome.
Regular physical activity is crucial for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Don’t
we all want a healthy, happy, thriving family?
3. Promote a Healthy Diet
A healthy diet is essential for overall health
and well-being. Encourage your children to eat a variety of nutrient-dense
foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, tubers and cereals,
eggs, dairy and healthy fats. A healthy diet is about consuming what is
affordable, accessible, feasible, safe and within your reach from at least 4
food groups as mentioned above. Limit processed foods, sugary drinks, and
snacks. Instead, opt for homemade meals that focus on fresh ingredients.
4. Encourage Children to
Develop a Habit of Drinking More Water
Drinking water is essential for maintaining
good health. Encourage your children to drink plenty of water throughout the day and
moderate the consumption of processed/carbonated or sugary drinks like soda,
sports drinks, and juice. These drinks are high in sugar and can contribute to
weight gain and tooth decay in cases of poor oral hygiene. Remind them that
water helps keep their bodies hydrated, which is important for energy and
overall well-being.
5. Teach Stress Management
Stress is a normal part of life, however too
much stress can be harmful to both physical and mental health. Do children
experience stress? Yes they do, from transitions of life, growing up and
experiencing multiple changes, moving to new cities or schools where they have
to find new friends, and many other issues, just to mention a few. It is
important for parents and caregivers to therefore consider teaching their
children healthy ways to manage stress like deep
breathing, journaling, talking to someone they trust or generally reaching out
for help or advice, yoga, meditation, or even listening to music. Encourage
them to express their feelings and provide them with a safe and supportive
environment to do so.
6. Discuss Dangers of Drugs
and Alcohol
As children grow older, depending on their
environment, company, and mental health state, they become more vulnerable to
drugs and alcohol. Parents need to prioritise taking the initiative to educate their children about the harmful
effects of these substances on their health and future. Engaging in open and
honest conversations can build TRUST and
make it easier for children to approach parents with questions or concerns.
Providing accurate information and resources can support children to be
responsible and make informed decisions, hence avoiding the negative
consequences associated with drug and alcohol abuse.
7. Reduce Screen Time
The Canadian Paediatric Society points out that
excessive screen time can harm children’s health by causing obesity,
poor sleep, and behavioral problems. To prevent this, it’s important to set
limits on screen time and encourage other activities like reading, playing
outside, and spending time with loved ones. Within the limited screen time,
caregivers could also consider supervising the content children are watching
just to ensure it is constructive content. By doing so, you can promote a
healthy lifestyle for your kids.
8. Focus on Quality Sleep
Sleep is essential for overall HEALTH AND WELL-BEING. Encourage your
children to get adequate sleep each night by establishing a regular bedtime
routine. Incorporate relaxing activities like reading or gentle stretching to
help them wind down. Rockin’ Blinks recommends limiting screen time before bed
and creating a sleep-conducive environment by
keeping the bedroom cool, dark, and quiet.
Building a foundation for a lifetime of healthy living
for kids requires dedicated effort and commitment from parents and caregivers.
By prioritizing healthy habits such as daily walks, a balanced diet, regular
physical activity, and more, you can help your children develop strong
foundations for good health and well-being. Taking these steps early on can set
your kids up for a lifetime of healthy habits and a fulfilling life.
