October is National Family Health Month

If you have never heard of National Family Health Month, you’re probably not alone. But now that you know about it, we’d like to share some ideas for those four weeks, Without a dictionary to direct us, we need to create our own definition of family health. Can we agree that it’s the physical AND emotional wellness of family members? In honor of the commemorative month, consider these tips to make your family’s health and wellness long-lasting and to reinforce healthy habits that keep your loved ones healthy and happy.

  • Play – The American Academy of Pediatrics takes an active role in helping families reclaim the power of play. They define play as engaging in an activity for the sake of fun and joyful discovery. This healthy kind of play charges the imagination and activates the brain. Find the board games that are collecting dust, or introduce the outdoor activities that you played as a child that require nothing more than chalk for hopscotch, bubbles, a ball, or trees to hide behind.

  • Take a Hike – Many small parks and nature centers sponsor family-friendly guided walks. Learn about birds, snakes, frogs and more. This activity incorporates exercise while sharing some laughs and knowledge along the way.

  • Create a Meal – A family cooking project need not have you all standing around the kitchen together. Assign times and roles for menu planning, prepping, assembling, cooking, and serving in advance and come together to enjoy the meal. Share a family recipe with the kids or grab a new ingredient or recipe that your family has never tried before. 

  • Share Music – Have everyone in the family share a favorite song. Parents can share a melody from their childhood so the kids can see what mom and dad were listening to at their age. Have a family dance off to those favorite tunes, combining physical activity and child-centered time.

  • Day Dream – As a family, what do you dream about? Create a vision board with magazine pictures or drawings of experiences that you’d like to enjoy together as a family. Once it’s a vision, it’s a step closer to actually happening.

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