Developing Healthy Habits as a Family
By Rachel Shouse
Regardless of whether you're a parent, child, spouse, boyfriend, fiance(e), etc., being a member of any family has its ups and downs. It's OK to struggle as every family does, but if it's starting to have a consistent negative impact on your family's lives, it's probably time to start making some changes. Listening to each other, planning intentional family time, and being sure you all still get to be alone at some point during the day are all great ways to help your family become healthier and stronger, together.
Listening to Each Other
It's important for families to spend time together, whether they feel like they're functioning well as a unit or not. A lot of unnecessary complications arise when family members get into a disagreement. It can be hard to calm your temper when you're mid-fight, but it's a key step in learning to listen.
A key step to listening may sound simple, but in the moment it can be rather difficult. Learning how to listen with the intention of hearing what they have to say is so important. Normally, when a fight is going back and forth and back again, you know you're listening with the intent to respond. Meaning you're planning what you have to say instead of hearing them.
Planning Intentional Family Time
This could be a new concept to many of you. It's not new, but it wasn't practiced in the past as much as it is today. Schedules seem to be more complicated nowadays. It pretty much is how it sounds though. Intentional family time is when you would only spend time together. No distractions. Board games really need to make a comeback.
Most understand how hard it is to squeeze one more thing into your to-do list. This is one activity that really is worth making the effort for. Whether you have kids, are dating, are married, etc., you should be making time for just each other. Board games were just one idea. You need to make it your own.
Making Sure You Still Get Alone Time
While making family time a priority is really important, so is making sure that you can operate on your own. Again, regardless of whether or not you have children, it's good to take time where you can just be you. The silence can sometimes feel deafening, but after a while you'll begin to enjoy the peace.
Taking care of each other as a family is part of the job in a way. Whether biological or not, as a lot of families are blended. Anyone can relate to the guilt families feel when they feel they haven't done enough. That's not the goal here. No guilt. Just a gentle eye opener if you will. Make this a fun time for you and your people.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Murphy, Tex.