At the start of a new year, we often take time to evaluate our habits and reflect on ways to improve ourselves. We’ve compiled some of our favorite healthy habits that can benefit the whole family and fit easily into busy families’ schedules.
DRINK MORE WATER
Keeping well-hydrated can help with many aspects of wellness. And, all it takes, is finding ways to incorporate drinking water into your daily routines. Try some of these ideas to encourage your whole family to drink more water:
- Infuse water with natural flavors (Recipe here)
- Give everyone a fun water bottle to keep with them through the day
- Keep a full pitcher of cold water in the fridge
- Automatically set out a full cup of water for everyone with meals and snacks (a great helper task for involving kids in meal time prep).
PRIORITIZE SLEEP
Getting a full night’s sleep is important for everyone, but especially so for developing kids.
- Maintain a consistent sleep schedule whenever possible.
- Establish a calming & regular bedtime routine.
- Don’t eat too close to bed time. A good guideline is 2-3 hours before bed for the last meal or snack for adults, but varies by age for kids
- Cut off screen time 30 minutes- 1 hour before bed for a more restful sleep.
KEEP ACTIVE
Adding in at least 30 minutes of activities a day can help both mental and physical health. It also helps kids destress after school and provides quality together time. Here are some easy, quick activity ideas:
- Use pillows, couch cushions and paper plates to make an indoor obstacle course.
- Dance it off. Put on some favorite tunes and boogie down.
- Take advantage of any nice days and walk around the neighborhood or a park.
- Household chores – but fun! Integrating activity into your “must dos” can help with busy schedules. Shoveling can involve short snowball fight breaks or the shoveled snow can be made into an igloo. Races and scavenger hunts can be incorporated into picking up or laundry.
PLAN AHEAD
When you have a busy day coming up, try make-ahead meals or snacks to keep takeout as a treat rather than a frequent occurrence. Some of our favorite make-ahead options are:
- CHICKEN & BACON ROLL-UPS for a great snack or lunch
- GRANOLA BARS for sweet, healthy, and homemade for breakfast or on-the-go snacks.
- SALSA CHICKEN for a slow cooker protein that makes a versatile nacho topping or taco filling.
