3 Unconventional Ways to Boost Your Kid's Health
By Genevieve Cunningham
Are you interested in teaching your kids healthy habits? Of course you are! All parents want healthy kids. The problem is not whether or not we want healthy kids, but rather how to make it happen. We can guide our kids, but we can't force them to follow every piece of our advice. That's why -- in many situations -- it's better to take a slightly off-beat approach. We have to get our kids to respond, and coming at it from a different angle may be just the ticket. If you're ready to get serious about your children's well-being, take a look at these unconventional ways to boost the health and wellness of your kids moving forward.
Video Games
We certainly don't think of video games when it comes to health! In fact, most of us immediately think of the opposite -- too much sitting, too much screen time, and a decline in overall health. But if you choose the right games, it can actually get your kids moving. Consider choosing a video game that requires movement. There are games that require you to follow dance moves, swing an imaginary bat or golf club, and even games that are purely for working out. Or you can choose virtual reality games which often require movement for the duration of the game. If you struggle with getting your kids off of video games, meet them where they're at by putting movement right in the middle of their interests.
Let Them Sleep
It seems like as soon as kids enter the picture, we're given so much advice about sleep schedules. We're told to put them down at a certain time and wake them up at the same time every day. If it's time for a nap, we're supposed to put them down whether they're tired or not. While there's certainly a lot of benefits to making sure your kids are getting enough sleep, it's also important to listen to their bodies as they grow and change. If they're excessively tired, let them sleep. If this means waking up an hour later on weekends, maybe that's exactly what they need. Don't throw schedules to the wind, but allow a little wiggle room to make sure your kids are getting the rest they need to grow as they should.
Cut Back on Activities
We live in a world where activities are king. The more activities, the better. Except that's not always the case. It's entirely possible that your kids are over-scheduled. This may be apparent through excessive fatigue, mood instability, and even increased illness. It can be hard, but it's important to find the balance between being involved and doing too much. Experiment to find the right balance for your kids, and you'll definitely be setting them up for better health and success.
There are things we can control in our children's lives. We can only buy healthy foods. We can turn off the TV and limit screen time. But we can also work together with our children to develop unconventional habits that push them toward better health. Use these tips to get their health turned around, and keep protecting their health long into the future.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in West Jordan, Utah.