5 Things You Can Do To Keep Your Family Healthier

by MHSjennie on December 23, 2016

As parents, we’re always looking for steps we can take to make our family healthier, especially during Cold and Flu Season!  Keep reading for tips from our guest writer, Ashely, that you can follow to help your children and the rest of your family live a healthier life. Ashley is a full time college student writing her way through college. When she’s not writing she enjoys hiking and any other outdoor activity imaginable. 

Get Plenty of Exercise

Healthy Family

Image via Flickr by FamiljenHelsingborg

Not only is staying active as a family a great way to spend time together, but it also helps cut the risk of many diseases, and parents who model good physical activity habits increase the likelihood that their children will also be physically active. Try to get at least 20 minutes of exercise with your children every day.

Choose activities you enjoy, such as riding bikes, going for a walk, or playing a game of basketball together. You can also set aside one day each weekend do something outside as a family. Finally, make chores fun and active by putting on music to dance to or having a race to see who can get the most chores done.

Buy Organic Food

Organic foods are becoming more popular as a way to feed our families healthy and fresh food. Organic food is not genetically engineered and is free of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Additionally, organic produce has fewer pesticides, and organic milk and meats have up to 50 percent higher levels of nutrients than conventionally raised versions. Finally, organically raised animals are not fed animal byproducts, given growth hormones, or given antibiotics.

Limit Screen Time

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends little to no screen time for children under two years of age and no more than two hours a day of screen time for older children. Too much screen time has been linked to behavioral problems, obesity, irregular sleep schedules, and loss of social skills. Instead, encourage activities that don’t require a screen, such as reading and free play. Finally, seek out high-quality games and programs for your children’s screen time. Choose options such as music your child can dance to or educational games and programs that encourage interaction.

Improve Indoor Air Quality

Indoor air quality is important for the health of your family, especially if anyone in your family suffers from allergies or asthma. Air cleaners can remove contaminants, irritants, and pathogens from the air inside your home, making it safer and more comfortable for everyone. Additionally, changing the air filters in your central air conditioning unit will trap contaminants and help circulate cleaner air.

Drink More Water

Instead of sugary soft drinks or juices, make sure you and your family drink plenty of water throughout the day. Water is vital for your health and assists in numerous functions throughout the body. It can help prevent muscle fatigue when you exercise, help your kidneys flush toxins out of your body, aid in digestion and circulation, control appetite, and help you maintain the right body temperature. If you’re trying to get more water in your diet, have a glass with every meal and eat more vegetables and fruits. After all, nearly 20 percent of our water intake comes from food.

From exercising with your family to making sure everyone is drinking more water, these are all simple steps you can take to help your family live healthier.

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