Tag: family health

Family Health: A New Normal

2020 has been quite the surprise! We’ve spent what seems like half the year inside due to the COVID-19 pandemic. What has not been a surprise is the need to update the Healthy People Initiative. Every ten years the US government develops objectives to move the country towards better health which is collectively called the Health People Initiative. Some of the objectives are related to nutrition and physical activity. The Healthy People Initiative 2030 also includes new objectives for Health-Related Quality of Life & Well-Being which includes physical, mental, emotional, and social functioning which highlights a focus on optimal health or what I like to call whole-person health. 

According to the latest results and supporting data, although adults are moving more and reporting a better quality of life, none of the objectives were met towards healthful diets and healthy weight.  In addition, the objectives for adolescents participating in physical activity were not met.  As the country seeks out a new normal, there is no better time to focus on family health.  Below are some habits you can incorporate into your family routine as a new normal.

  • Get creative and have at home gym class where everyone gets involved. Inquire about access to physical activity in childcare settings and ensure access to physical activity for children at home.
  • Reduce television viewing and computer usage to improve cognitive skills and the ability to concentrate and pay attention.
  • Craft most of your meals at home. Foods eaten away from home often have more calories and lower nutritional quality than foods prepared at home.

Family and Health: It’s Not Complicated

Spending time with family and friends is an even greater victory when you can combine it with a healthy habit.

Get Active: A nature walk is a fun activity that can get you outside and spending time with family and friends. Select an area that has lots of trees and birds. Kids can explore the differences between trees and talk about the different animals and maybe insects they see throughout the walk.

Get Cooking: Another fun group activity is making a meal (breakfast, lunch, snacks or dinner). You can engage children by asking them to complete several tasks. If the children are very young, you can ask them what they would like to cook and find a recipe together. If they are a bit older, you can ask them to find a recipe on their own that you can make together Kids can also help with shopping for and prepping the ingredients. You can go with something as simple as a salad or pizza or as complicated as homemade pasta sauce or cookies. The point is for everyone to play a role in making the meal. 

These are just two activities that can keep you committed to your health goals and enjoy time with your loved ones.

Family Time is the Best Time

Just as you need movement or exercise and good nutrition for physical health, you also need social connection for your mental health. Endless studies highlight the benefits of social connection.  These studies suggest that social connection strengthens your immune system, lowers anxiety and depression, increases self-confidence, empathy, and trust. Spending time with family and friends increases social connection but also provides significant benefits to children. Some of the benefits of family time for children include:

  • building confidence
  • creating life-long memories
  • creating a stronger emotional bond between parents and children
  • allowing for better communication between family members and others
  • increasing performance in school
  • increasing opportunities to model behaviors such as conflict resolution, confidence, and happiness

As you continue practicing social distancing, you can think through opportunities for volunteering, cooking (especially new cuisines and dishes), and physical activities as a few options for family time that can fit into your wellness journey and hopefully start theirs.