11 Easy Things You Can Do Right Now to Help Your Family Become Healthier

We see so many health and wellness trends, but their fad diets and cookie-cutter solutions can admittedly be confusing – and overwhelming! 

If you're making a conscious effort to learn more about what you can do to improve your family's health, then you're already headed in the right direction. But just so you don’t overwhelm yourself, start with forming one simple healthy habit. Over time, add more habits and make small steps towards your health goals.  

Do not eat while working, while on your phone, or while watching television 

Mindful eating is very important. Seriously. Being disconnected from your phone will prevent distraction and help you connect to your family. Light up the dinner table with the beauty of good food and good conversation with each other, instead of lighting up your faces with mobile screens.

Get a flu shot every year

Each member of your family should get the flu shot every year, to protect you from getting the flu and spreading it to others. Don’t assume that you're healthy, and that your natural immunity can fight the virus – we need this shot because our immune system does not have natural antibodies for the flu virus.

Go organic

Let’s be real – Fast food has taken over our lives. While it’s a convenient fix, it is also why many people are obese or overweight. Instead of craving for the latest fast food craze, focus on eating good, clean food a.k.a. organic foods. Look for anything that’s organic, grass-fed, or pasture-raised when buying meats, milk, eggs, etc.

Read the nutrition labels

Focus on the ingredients, not just the calorie count. Better yet, choose foods that don’t need a label, like fresh vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds and healthy fats. 

Cut out the sugar  

Sugar can be addictive. Cutting it out (or even just cutting down) might sound impossible and, quite frankly, miserable. But remember that sugar can cause major health problems like heart diseases, headaches, bloating, and energy crashes. High sugar diets have also been linked to collagen loss and acne! 
Start by removing all sugary foods, including chocolates and flavored drinks. The first five days will be hard, and you might experience intense cravings and irritability.  However, don’t give up. After a few weeks, your taste buds will adjust, and the cravings will eventually stop. 

Don’t overmedicate

Feeling sick? Don’t automatically reach for medicine. Over-reliance on over-the-counter medicine can affect your health. Even too much ibuprofen (over-the-counter painkillers) can cause stomach upset or diarrhea, while taking too much acetaminophen over time can damage the liver. 

Look for natural alternatives. If you have a stuffy nose, use nasal saline sprays. If your throat hurts, drink water with lemon. 
 
Stay away from your worst enemy - the chair

Well don't just sit there... stand and stretch your legs. If you spend most of the day sitting in front of a computer, stand up from time to time. If you’re at home, stand while watching TV or using your phone. Doing any activity while standing burns twice the calories. 
 
Have a nap ritual

Sleep is essential so make sure you and your little one are getting enough. Aside from bedtime routines, schedule a regular power nap.  Here’s a tip: To help you sleep better, keep the room temperature around  65°F or 18°C. Make sure it's quiet, dark, cool, and comfortable. You can also get a diffuser or mister and add your favorite essential oil.

Start a family sport  

You can exercise alone, but there's something special about learning and playing a new sport with your family. You feel like a team, and create a regular activity that all of you can look forward to. 
 
Visualize the results 

Try to visualize how you and your family are going to feel when your goals are achieved. Think of how good your body will feel, and all the things you can do when you have more energy and positivity. Spending a few minutes each day thinking about the future can be very motivating.

Don't use "I'm a mom" or "I'm busy" as an excuse to skip self-care

You have to take care of yourself so you can take care of your family. Make sure you’re taking time to de-stress every day. Whether that means kicking toxic habits or going for a short walk every morning, those small lifestyle changes can help you feel healthier and happier.

Don’t say you’re too busy.  If you have time to check your Facebook and Instagram accounts, to complain or gossip, or to binge watch on Netflix, then you have time to do something healthy.
 

Reference

About The Writer

Michelle Estranero

Michelle is an anti-losyang, almost 40-ish mom who likes to write about parenting, fashion, events, beauty, fitness, tech, travel and ramblings that can make other people laugh, cry and relate. 12-time Blog Contest winner awarded by Nuffnang PH and other reputable brands. She's also a licensed physical therapist who decided to be a WAHM and yaya of 2 little brats. She's really good at losing her keys and so many other things. She's a mom who wants to reassure other moms that it's perfectly okay to be imperfect and whatever they have is priceless and irreplaceable.

The views and opinions expressed by the writer are his/her own, and does not state or reflect those of Wyeth Nutrition and its principals.

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Thinking of getting your family into the organic lifestyle? Register to parenTeam and get advice from the experts!   NOTE: Select ORGANIC from the dropdown menu, 'Where did you hear about us?'.