Kris of www.parentingwithkris.com is joining us again today to share tips for passing on healthy habits to your kids. I don’t know about y’all, but this is something close to my heart because I am determined to help my little one become the exception to the rule of girls in my family tree. Teaching our children healthy habits is a must if we want to excel in our family and ensure our kids have the best of us and the best hope to move forward. Enough from me! Let’s hear from Kris.
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4 Tips for Passing Healthy Habits Down To Your Kids
If you are a parent, your number one priority is keeping your kids healthy and safe. While there are active measures you can take to do so, ensuring your children make healthy choices is the best way to keep your kids healthy for life. So, how can you keep your family on track? By using these tips to encourage your kids to take better care of their health and wellness.
Lead by Example
One of the most effective ways to instill healthy habits in your children is to be a role model. In addition to eating a healthy diet, living an active lifestyle, and adopting healthy coping techniques, think of other qualities you’d like to see in them. For example, if you want them to stick to their goals, then be sure you’re following through on your own, whether that means going back to school to boost your career in the business world, getting back in shape, or restarting a once-beloved hobby.
Provide Positive Tools to Deal with Stress and Anxiety
With more pressures around school and social connections, it’s no wonder that kids are more prone to anxiety issues these days. Teenagers are especially affected by anxiety and stress, which can often lead to unhealthy coping methods if not properly addressed by parents. One way you can help ease your child’s anxiety is to use essential oils. This holistic method can promote positive emotions and calming effects. CBD oil can also decrease feelings of anxiety and may have other mental health benefits as well. You should check with your child’s healthcare provider before using any of these oils as well as a therapist to see if the products make sense as part of an overall treatment plan. In addition to soothing your child with oils, you can use self-care practices to ease stress and anxiety. Teach your kids to take time to rest and also find hobbies that will help.
Plan Family Activities Around Getting Enough Exercise
Regulating stress and anxiety can improve your child’s mental health, and a good way to do so while also boosting physical health is exercise. Regular physical activity has a calming effect on the brain and central nervous system, which can provide relief from the symptoms of anxiety. Most people can benefit from at least 15 minutes of vigorous exercise each day, but the most improvement is frequently seen when you and your family commit to long-term exercise habits. Aside from giving your child a big mood boost, regular exercise will also make it easier to maintain a healthy weight. Since obesity can impact children and teens’ ability to learn, getting your kids active can have some major perks for their grades, as well as their bodies and emotions. Plan for a fun family activity that will keep your kids moving, such as a Nerf gun fight or just make it a habit to go on walks as a family after dinner.
Keep an Open Dialogue About Drug and Alcohol Dangers
Drugs and alcohol are another health concern for kids and parents. While it’s never too early to start talking to your kids about the dangers of substance abuse, you may need some help doing so without feeling awkward. Your child’s age will determine the depth and scope of your conversation but the most important thing to remember is to keep the conversation going. Your kids will listen, even if it doesn’t seem like they are in the moment. During your talk, you should cover illegal drugs, but also keep in mind that some of the most deadly addictive substances are ones that are completely legal. Alcohol and opioids are the cause of most substance abuse-related deaths in America, so be sure to talk about the dangers of misusing both. In addition to talking, it’s also important to model wanted behavior for your children. While drinking around kids is not inherently a negative influence, you should be sure to drink responsibly. As always, talk to your kids about what they see and about your feelings around alcohol. Let them know it’s a social tool that can be easily abused, with negative health effects.
The health of your children begins with you. How you communicate with your kids about healthy habits, as well as how you model them, can set the tone for their life. Make sure you are open with your children about taking care of their health and be willing to answer questions. Most of all, make sure you are doing what you can to take care of your own health and wellness.
About Kris:
Kris Louis is a mom to two rambunctious boys. Her oldest is 10 and her youngest is 7. A former advertising copywriter, she recently created ParentingWithKris.com, where she puts her skills to work writing about the trials and tribulations of parenting. Kris, her husband, and her two boys live in Durham, NC.
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