Kids aren’t known for their healthy habits. They love sugar and carbs, are always on the go, and don’t always listen to what their parents say – but that doesn’t mean you can’t teach them some good habits along the way! These top healthy habits will get your kids off to a good start as they grow up and become adults who take care of themselves from the inside out.
1) Exercise Daily
Regular exercise can help children improve their health, maintain a healthy weight, reduce stress, get more energy, sleep better and even improve their self-esteem. It also helps them develop a lifelong habit of physical activity. Try making exercise fun by exercising with your kids or enrolling them in extracurricular sports. If your child is too young to join a team, create one-on-one games such as dancing or playing catch.
2) Eat Breakfast
If you have time in your morning schedule, eat breakfast. It’s a simple way to keep energy levels high throughout a long day. If you don’t have time to sit down for breakfast, grab a quick bite on your way out of the door.
3) Keep Track of Your Nutrition
It’s important to set a good example for kids by eating healthy yourself. It will also make it easier to get your child to eat healthier meals. Additionally, if you model positive habits, such as exercising regularly, your child will be more likely to follow in your footsteps as he or she gets older. By encouraging kids to pay attention to what they put into their bodies early on, you’ll set them up with good habits that can help them avoid potentially debilitating conditions later in life.
4) Share Meals With Family Members
There’s a reason family meals are one of those phrases that get tossed around a lot in nutrition studies. It does benefit kids to share mealtimes with their parents because they tend to try new foods when they dine together, and those meals can end up being healthier overall. So be sure to include everyone in your family at mealtime, whether you’re preparing something at home or dining out at a restaurant.
5) Drink Water Frequently Throughout The Day
Drinking water is essential for staying healthy. All of our bodily processes rely on water to function properly, so it’s important to get in as much H2O as possible. If your kids aren’t naturally inclined to drink a lot of water, encourage them by serving up ice-cold beverages (it also helps if they have fun cups). Staying hydrated will help with concentration, appetite control, and a host of other health benefits.
6) Limit Screen Time (TV, iPad, Computer...)
According to researchers at Columbia University, kids who spend an average of more than three hours per day in front of a screen (TV, iPad, computer) are more likely to gain weight. So while you’re trying to instill healthy habits into your children’s life, consider limiting their exposure to screens. Doing so will help them become healthier adults who aren’t reliant on technology as entertainment.
7) Play Outside in Nature
The sunlight can help boost your child’s mood, increase their natural energy levels, improve their sleep cycle, give them vitamin D (which helps strengthen bones), raise their body temperature, and even cause endorphins to release—all of which will result in a happier kid. So turn off those screens (for a little while) and encourage your children to get outside—they’ll benefit physically and mentally. If you need some ideas, check out our list of 100+ Outdoor Activities for Kids.
8) Get A Good Night’s Sleep
Sleep is vital to both physical and mental health. Newborns to seniors can benefit from getting enough sleep, but sometimes it’s hard to know exactly how much sleep your body needs. Luckily, there are some simple ways to gauge whether you’re getting enough zzz or not. When you don’t get enough sleep it can impact your mood, and memory and even cause premature aging. Here are some telltale signs that indicate you need more shut-eye.
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