First 5 LA’s Five Family Resolutions
A new year means new goals! Here are a few simple suggestions for family resolutions for the coming year:
- Family workout. Getting your heart pumping and working up a sweat reduces stress and makes for a fun family activity. Start by doing one 30-minute family workout a week. This can be as simple as going for a power walk around your neighborhood or kicking a ball at the park. Try committing to a whole month and see if you can add a few more days to the schedule.
- Reduce your sugar intake. Sugar causes tissues to become inflamed, can cause a “high” followed by fatigue, contributes to weight gain and can be habit-forming. Try swapping sugary cereal and breads for whole-grain options and substituting fresh fruits for sugary desserts. With just these simple switches, you may notice a difference in your family’s energy levels and overall health.
- Read more. The benefits of reading include lower stress levels, better memory and sharper focus and concentration. Have each member of the family choose a book and commit to reading for at least 30 minutes a day. You can also read aloud as a family!
- Drink more water. Our bodies are made up of about 57% water. When we are dehydrated our energy levels drop, we experience headaches and the body becomes more prone to weight gain. To combat these things, drink more water! Swap sugary drinks for a cold glass of H2O.
- Sit down for dinner. Sitting down with the whole family for dinner is not only a great way to bond with family members, but it has also been shown to have a positive effect on kids’ grades, mood and overall well-being. In fact, teenagers who came from families who sat down for dinner each night showed lower levels of depression and were less likely to smoke or do drugs. Make an effort to sit down for family dinner – no screens allowed – at least twice a week. It will have lasting positive effects on everyone in the family.
