Modern living encourages individuals to live a sedentary lifestyle where they engage in little to no physical activity. The youth is especially susceptible to gaining weight. Children rarely play in the streets the way the previous generation did. Busy work schedules encourage families to cook less and order takeout instead. Not to mention, stress affects family health and relationships. All of these factors lead to a decrease in the overall quality of a healthy familial lifestyle.
Still, one of the best ways to get fit and healthy is to do so as a family. Why? Because it is easier to engage in healthy habits as per a routine, overcome family problems collectively, and ensure every member is healthy, mentally and physically. So how do you go about this? Here are some tips.
Hire a family care provider
Having a primary care provider is essential to ensure that your entire family gets timely medical help. Whether it’s a flu shot, upset bowel movements, or screenings for genetic cancers, you’ll have someone to address your healthcare needs a phone call away. The good news is that you don’t need to look up a doctor who might burn a hole through your wallet with high fees. Highly qualified nurses too can serve as your family PCP. Therefore, look for a nurse practitioner who specializes in providing family care. Someone who’s completed a specialized course, such as a post master’s fnp certificate online, should be your go-to choice. Also, ensure that the nurse has the license to practice independently.
Exercise together
Physical exercise is undoubtedly one of the best ways to stay fit, especially when eating habits are disarray. However, it’s tough to manage a workout schedule while maintaining a strenuous full-time job for parents. Likewise, kids may have their own commitments. Nonetheless, it would be worthwhile to coordinate times and identify a universally agreed-upon slot to exercise together as a family. The workout doesn’t have to be intense- a 30-minute brisk walk or run post-dinner will suffice. But doing it together will ensure that every family member is getting at least some amount of activity every day. This will help you burn excess calories and abate chronic illnesses.
Get rid of the junk food
Snacking on packaged junk food is a significant proponent of obesity in America. There are very few healthy alternatives to junk food, and they are incredibly addictive. Moreover, low cost and easy accessibility make it harder to avoid snacks and deep-fried unhealthy foods. A healthy alternative is to keep a large stock of fresh fruit in the house to munch on. Blueberries, strawberries, and bananas are a great alternative when you have sweet cravings in the afternoon. This is also an excellent way to encourage healthy eating habits among your kids early on. As for juices and sodas, consider bottles of Gatorade or fresh juice instead. It’s going to be a while before you get used to the change, but once you do, the whole family stands to benefit. Moreover, teach your family to eat their greens and portion control.
Family bicycle rides every weekend
A long bicycle ride is a good dose of exercise and a great way to bond with the family. You work your legs, get some cardio, and breathe some fresh air, which is essential to relieve stress that might be building up because of work pressure or problems at home. Moreover, it’s considerably more engaging than sitting in a park. Your kids might get bored of visiting the same spots over the weekend, but biking opens up the possibility to explore more areas in your city and its surrounding areas.
Movement-based video games
Motion-based video games are another great way to stay in shape with the family. It’s fun, funny sometimes, and you get to challenge each other in the comfort of your home. Consoles like the Wii, PlayStation Move, and Xbox Kinect are excellent for family-friendly activities to connect and bond over. It may not seem like that much, but depending on what games you play, the movements can get pretty intense, and you can work up a sweat. You can take advantage of several games, like tennis, baseball, and archery-related games. Moreover, with COVID-19 still prevailing, staying at home and playing video games is an excellent way to continue socializing with your loved ones. Take this chance to learn what your kids have to teach you. If you aren’t all that tech-savvy, they might gain a sense of achievement in teaching you how to play. It’s going to help bring you together.
Challenge other families
A great way to build team spirit and encourage healthy competition is to get other families involved. If you have relatives/family friends who can join in for a family football game, call them over and have a good time. Maybe at the end of it, you can have a BBQ and spend some time together. It’s a great way to socialize and get some exercise in at the same time.
Prioritize family mental health
Poor mental health can tear a family apart. Therefore, even if one member shows signs of an impending psychological problem, address it before it affects your entire household. Talk about mental health issues and what’s bothering you. If someone starts indulging in substance abuse, stop it before the habit goes out of control. It would also help to have a family therapist for group sessions. Therapy can help to keep the environment in your home stress-free.
Conclusion
Modern living is pushing us towards a sedentary lifestyle that is affecting our mental and physical health. And before the problem gets worse, you need to address it. This article mentions a few tips you can employ to keep your family fit and healthy. These include exercising together, hiring a PCP for your family’s immediate health needs, replacing junk food with healthy eating habits, playing games together, engaging in fun weekend activities, and prioritizing family mental health. Doing these collectively can do wonders for your family’s health on a holistic level.
