It’s not always easy to keep you and your kids healthy — especially when you have to deal with coronavirus risk. From work to school to activities, your family has various obligations. If you’re not at your best, it’s tough to keep up. You should make an effort to instill wholesome habits so that you and your kids lead a happy life.
Take a look at these five tips.
1. Try A Structured Daily Routine
Your family should stick with a routine so that you can manage each day. A pandemic isn’t a small task to handle if you have kids. Their lives have been interrupted as much as yours. A regular schedule can put you back on track. Think about your family’s daily activities so that you can create a modifiable outline for a family routine. Your children’s response to structure may differ, but it’s smart to implement goals.
This approach can be as rigid or as casual as you choose. You may want to stick with stricter time slots like a 5 pm dinner when necessary. Be sure not to stray from your schedule once you start. Though you can always be flexible, it’s still there for a reason. You want your children to feel safe and secure. When they’re able to anticipate tomorrow, you’ll feel less stressed and more prepared.
2. Choose Better Snack Alternatives
Unless your family avoids salt and fat, you likely enjoy a few unhealthy snacks. This habit isn’t always a problem. In fact, you should treat yourself to an indulgent bite every so often. But if you find that your children reach for chips more so than apples, it’s time to reconsider your shopping list. A few simple switches can ensure your kids make nutritious choices throughout their lives.
Choose yogurt and berries, peppers and hummus and other yummy combinations. Alternatives like almonds and popcorn can curb your love for chips. It’s still okay to buy gummy worms and milk chocolate — but only on less frequent occasions. Your push for better snacks can help you and your family reduce unhealthy weight gain as you improve your diets. Do your best to eat wholesome meals, too.
3. Boost Everyone’s Immune Systems
There’s never been a better time to teach your kids about their immune systems. It’s always important to check on their health when they return to school. Sicknesses are often inevitable when children reconvene — and with potential COVID-19 risks, you should keep an eye out for sore throats and runny noses. You can prepare your kids for a good year if you employ a few strategies.
Your family should sleep for seven hours, play outside every day and wash hands when needed. A nutritious diet will also be beneficial. You need to ensure everyone receives their vaccines on time so that they stay protected against preventable diseases. You may want to try other remedies like vitamin C for a quick boost. While it’s okay to try supplements, it’s best to rely on a healthy diet for antioxidants.
Besides feeding your kids a healthy diet and ensuring they get their vaccines on time, it is also vital to have regular health checks. While most people think that only an older person should visit the doctor once in a while, it is good to have your kids get checked.
Health screening for children helps correct problems before they elevate and become a lifetime health issue. Your kids need the correct emotional and physical development. Therefore, you should ensure they get checked for these two aspects.
There are multiple health checkups you and your family can undergo. For instance, health checks with a pediatrician can help control your child’s body mass index. At a young age, children are prone to experiencing dental problems. It would be best to schedule regular dental checkups with a comprehensive dentist every six months. Also, your child’s mental health is essential. Ensure you schedule appointments with a family therapist once in a while.
4. Teach Helpful Life-Long Habits
You’ve probably spent your time at home since March. You can use this chance to help your family instill life-long habits. With everyone under one roof, you should be able to tackle a few lessons. Here are a few tips to talk about and build on as a family:
- Apply sunscreen before you play.
- Sneeze and cough into a tissue.
- Brush your teeth twice every day.
- Wear a helmet when you ride a bike.
- Tell mum or dad when you feel sick.
When it comes to building these habits into your children’s routine, it’s not about implementing them as strict “punishment” style chores. It’s about setting an example as a parent that these habits are both fun, helpful and important for your whole family to be healthy and strong.
Your children’s teeth, for example, could be unhealthy if you leave them to their own devices when brushing their teeth. They’ll probably tickle their teeth for five seconds then consider it a job well done! Make sure to brush teeth with them, so they can copy how you do it, and therefore allow them to follow by example. If you are worried about your kids’ dental health, ensure you visit a centre that provides Dentistry for Kids, so you can see if there are any big problems that need addressing.
You can expand on different habits if your kids already know these suggestions. Feel free to focus on coronavirus-related habits, too. You could practice how to wear a mask so that they’re ready for school. In any case, you have an opportunity to spend extra time with your children. Use these moments wisely to catch up on any life lessons you have yet to introduce.
5. Prioritize Mental Health Support
Unless your kids want to share certain information with you, it’s not always easy to know if they’re okay. An occasional mental health check-in can help you and your family manage depression, anxiety and other issues. Talk to your kids about these problems so that they understand them. They’ll be more likely to come to you for help if they know you’re there to listen without judgment.
You may notice a few symptoms that lead you to believe there’s a concern. Does your child sleep late and skip meals? They may be nervous about a test — but they could also feel particularly lonely or sad. It’s important to touch base with your kids. Otherwise, you may miss certain signs. Be sure to manage your mental health, too. Parents often forget about their own struggles.
Use These Tips To Ensure Your Family Stays Well
With so many obligations, it’s essential to keep you and your children healthy. Use these suggestions to make sure everyone’s at their best.
