Encourage Kids to Finish the Year Healthy
By Brandi Goodman
The end of the year brings colder weather, a growing holiday to-do list, and a serious lack of motivation for many. But that doesn't mean your kiddos should get off scot-free. You need to be sure you're encouraging your kids to finish their year healthy. This means offering nutritious meals and demanding exercise at the very least.
Get Up and Play With Them
Your kids won't be very encouraged to exercise if they have to do it alone. Get up and play with them so you're all getting the physical activity you need. Doing family activities together is a great way to bond while promoting healthy habits. You could easily go outside and toss a ball, take a bike ride together, or even take a walk around the block and chat with your teens.
Limit Screen Time
Your children might find it harsh, but it's necessary to limit screen time. Too much time spent sitting in the same position watching videos or playing games is not good for the body. Your kids need to be taking frequent breaks and getting up and moving if they want to keep their posture correct and their joints flexible. Even if you allow a full day of screen time, it's still imperative that you have your kids get up and stretch at regular intervals and take some breaks to rest their eyes.
Choose Healthy Habits
When your kids see you choosing healthy habits, they may be more inclined to do so themselves. When you're out at the mall, make the choice to take the stairs instead of settling on the elevator. Park your car farther away from the building so you have a longer distance to walk. Drink water. Keep healthy snacks, such as apples, whole grain crackers, and carrot sticks, in the house. Let your kids see you making smart choices so they can follow your example.
Involve Them in Food Prep
Don't make all the meals yourself. Involve your kids and bring them into the kitchen. Allowing them to help you make meals can encourage nutritious eating and make them more inclined to give new foods a try. If they know what's inside of the food they're eating and helped to create it, they'll be more likely to take a bite.
Stronger muscles and joints, a strong immune system, lower blood pressure, lower levels of stress, and a potential for making healthy habits stick into adulthood are just a few of the benefits you can provide your children when you encourage exercise and healthy eating. Help your kids finish the year in healthy ways so they can maintain their well-being for a lifetime.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Decatur, Ga.