How to Help Your Kids Lead Healthy Lives
By Genevieve Cunningham
Kids are fun. They’re full of energy and questions and giggles. If you have kids, you know that you’d do anything for them, and helping them lead a successful life is high on your list of priorities. But before we ever focus on success such as college and occupation and long-term family goals, we should focus on their health. Teaching your kids to live a healthy lifestyle is challenging, but it’s also more than worth it. If you would like to teach your kids healthy habits, take a look at these tips to get you started.
Be an Example
You don’t want to hear it, but you know it’s true. If you want your kids to be healthy, you have to be healthy, too. If you cook your children a healthy meal, but you’re eating pizza, which do you think they’re going to want? If you want them to eat healthy, you have to improve your diet. If you want them to exercise, you have to show them they way. Monkey see, monkey do. When it comes to kids, it’s the only way to go.
Offer Encouragement
Even if you’re trying to help your child lose weight, do not be discouraging. Kids soak in that disappointment like nothing else. You have to constantly encourage. Encourage them to try a sport or an activity. Encourage them to make healthy choices. Praise them when they do well, but do not berate them when they choose the ice cream instead. With children and health, it’s a slow and steady wins the race approach. Be positive and encouraging, and the rest will fall into place.
Have Expectations
You shouldn’t be too restrictive, but it’s OK to have a few expectations in your home. You can expect everyone to eat dinner before dessert. You can expect everyone to get outside for a few minutes a day. Expectations aren’t rules … they’re unspoken guidelines that everyone in the house follows. Make a few of these normal in your home, and the whole family will be healthier before you know it.
It’s not impossible to set your kids down a healthy path. Ultimately, you can’t make choices for them. But you can definitely teach them the way that they should go. Use these tips to help your kids get a headstart in life. With a push in the right direction, you may be able to help your kids live their healthiest and happiest lives.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Santa Ana, Calif.