It's All About the 5 Healthy Habits you can Instill at Home

As a parent, we want our kids to stay healthy and happy. We are diligent about their immunization, checkups, healthy lifestyle and eating habits.

 

Developing healthy habits in their formative years can bring them a lifetime of wellness. Overall good health can strengthen your child’s immune system and reduce the chances of catching a cold, flu and other illnesses.

 

Encourage your children to participate in healthy habits by reminding them that if they’re sick, they won’t feel well enough to enjoy their favourite food or activities.

Habit #1: Catching some quality Z’s

A well-rested individual can be happier and more alert, with a better immune system. Typically, a child should get 9 to 10 hours of sleep, a night. Encourage healthy rest by creating and sticking to a routine. 

Habit #2: Moving and grooving

Another way to help kids stay healthy—and make bedtime easier—is to make sure they’re getting enough activity. Reduce screen time that isn’t expending enough energy to get tired or burning enough calories to stay physically fit. Encourage kids to enjoy active play, such as riding bikes, jumping ropes, dancing, etc.

Habit #3: Powering up with downtime

While it’s essential for kids to remain active and learn continuously, they also need some time to recharge and just be a kid. Allow your kids to have enough unstructured downtime, as it:

• Encourages creativity and imagination
  
  
  
• Helps to burn off excess energy
  
  
  
• Relieves the stress of responsibilities
  
  
  
• Helps to develop self-reliance and social skills

Habit #4: Breaking the sugar cycle

Feed your child a nutritious diet that helps them to stay physically fit and creates healthy eating habits that continue with them into adulthood. Skip the sugary cereal in favour of wheat or bran cereal, oatmeal, fruits, whole-grain toast or muffins, eggs and other power foods.

If possible, pack your children’s school lunches with nutritious choices from all the food groups, and remind them to stay hydrated and drink plenty of water, especially after strenuous activities. 

Enjoy a family meal in the evening so you can reconnect while setting an example for healthy eating. 

Habit #5: Getting squeaky clean from head to toe

Build personal hygiene habits at an early age. Teach them the importance of regular bathing and proper hand washing, throughout the day. Additionally, make sure they practice good oral health by:

• Brushing at least twice a day
  
  
  
• Visiting the dentist regularly
  
  
  
• Limiting sugary snacks and drinks that can cause tooth decay
  
  
  

Regular shampooing and hair care are essential. As a parent, be on the lookout for head lice, a very common and contagious infection that’s often caught at school. Remind your kids not to share items that are used on or near the head, such as hats or scarves, combs and brushes and bike helmets.

By reinforcing these habits at home, you’ll give your children a strong foundation for a long and healthy life.