All parents want to support their children’s health, but you can easily overlook the little routines that lead to healthy minds and bodies. If you find that your days seem to spin away in a chaotic whirl of homework, carpools, and cartoons, you might be missing out on some of the following five easy ways that you can keep your kids healthy.
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Engaging in active outdoor play offers several benefits compared to sitting at home with a tablet or television. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends at least one hour of physical activity every day for children and adolescents.
While spending time outside, children will soak up beneficial vitamin D, stretch their muscles, and enjoy the fresh air. Get your kids involved in the garden, and your outdoor time can foster a healthy interest in fresh produce and teach them about nature. Playing sports also encourages teamwork and dedication.
Take a Soak
Make bath time extra beneficial by tossing a handful of Epsom salts into the water. This addition can help address magnesium deficiencies, soothe skin conditions, and improve allergies or asthma. Soaking in warm water with Epsom salts added will soothe sore muscles, reduce the effects of adrenaline, calm anxiety, and help promote a good night’s sleep.
Clean Up Your Indoor Air Quality
Although you’re probably mindful about cleaning up dust from flat surfaces and dirt from your carpets, you may not be as diligent about keeping these same hazards out of the air.
While dirty air is more difficult to see, you can easily feel dirty air. If you have poor indoor air quality in your home, you may experience headaches, fatigue, and respiratory problems. You can keep your family healthier by addressing your home’s indoor air quality. Change the filter in your HVAC system once a month, schedule annual HVAC system maintenance visits, and install a whole-house air purifier to keep your indoor air fresh and breathable.
Incorporate a Smart Sleep Schedule
Sleep is crucial for young bodies. Tired kids are listless and moody. Incorporate a regular bedtime routine to help everyone wind down so that they’re ready for sleep at the appointed hour. This routine may include a bath, story, or back rub. Shut off electronics at least one hour before bed to create a less stimulating environment.
Dine as a Family
Family dinners will improve your child’s health physically, socially, and emotionally. Research has shown that children have lower rates of obesity when they regularly enjoy family dinners. Eating together gives you the chance to expose your children to new foods and encourage good eating habits. People tend to eat less when they’re engaged in a family meal around the table than when they’re munching mindlessly in front of the television. You’ll also enjoy a great chance to bond with your kids when you eat together.
The smart strategies above are easy ones to bring into your household. You don’t need to invest in new gadgets or download the latest app to improve your family’s health. Make these quick fixes for improved wellness now.
