5 Habits that Will Set Your Child up for a Healthy Life

Implementing healthy habits into your child’s everyday activities can set them up to lead a healthy rest of their life. It is much easier for them to start healthy habits today, so they can carry them into adulthood instead of trying to pick up new habits when they’re older. Being a good example and encouraging them to pick up these healthy habits is something they will thank you for later in life. Read on to learn more about healthy habits your children can pick up, today!

Eating a Balanced Diet

It can be difficult to get your child to choose an apple over a candy bar when they’re at school or a friend’s house. However, encouraging them to make balanced decisions and offering them healthy food options while they’re at home can really make a difference. Many children are not going to love every fruit and vegetable that they try and probably won’t like most of them the first time they try it. Being patient with them and exposing them to a variety of fruits and vegetables will allow them to find healthier choices that they do enjoy. Preparing foods in different ways and getting them involved in the meal planning process gives them a higher chance of enjoying healthy eating. 

Being Physically Active

Everyone needs to find what type of physical activity works best for them to live a healthy lifestyle. Encouraging your child to join a variety of sports and try out different outdoor activities allows them to find what they enjoy the best. Performing physical activities as a family sets a good example for them, as well as gives you time to bond with them. Going on evening walks or weekend bike rides together are a great way to all be physically active. 

Frequent Health Check-ups

It’s important to stick to your child’s doctor’s recommended well child visit schedule, even when life gets busy. If you don’t prioritize pediatrician visits now, your child will likely not prioritize doctor visits when they are an adult. These wellness check-ups are important to catch any health problems early, as well as give you and your child a chance to ask their doctor any health-related questions. If you are unsure how often to take them in to see their pediatrician, ask their doctor or check online. For example,  search ‘pediatrician Stamford Ct’ to find a pediatrician with the recommended well child visit schedule on their website. 

Bedtime Routine

To ensure proper development and healthy sleep habits, start implementing a healthy sleep schedule while your children are young. One of the best ways to help them get to sleep is by getting them into a regular bedtime routine. A bedtime routine allows them to wind down and complete their hygiene habits before going to bed. Ensuring they’re getting in the recommended number of hours of sleep is important during this time while they are still growing and developing. 

Healthy Communication

The way you communicate and teach them how to express themselves will likely carry into their adulthood. It’s important to teach them the tools they need to deal with their emotions, especially as they enter the stressful time of adolescent years. Frequently checking in with them about how they are doing and how they feel about the different things going on in their lives will make it easier for them to express themselves in relationships they may have in the future. 

As your child grows up they will look to you for an example of what they should do in their everyday lives. It is important that you show them how to live a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Encouraging them to start these healthy habits now gives them a much better chance of continuing these habits into adulthood and leading a healthy rest of their life.