Parents want their children to grow up healthy and strong. We do the best to raise them this way, but often the fast-paced, fast-food, sedentary lifestyles of today's culture get in the way, and the result is unhealthy, chronically ill, overweight, and out-of-shape children, teens, and parents. The challenge to break unhealthy habits and family patterns takes intentional effort and a team approach. Good health is a family affair.
Healthy families develop habits in order to maintain health and wellness. These habits will not stop all illnesses, but healthy families have fewer illnesses and recover quicker than sedentary families. Below are some examples of healthy family habits. All of these require Dad and Mom to set a good example.
1. Teach and live a biblical view of the body as "the temple of the Holy Spirit" (1 Cor. 6:19-20)
Our bodies are uniquely created by God and are masterful works of art (see Ps. 139). This means avoiding harmful substances and behaviors that destroy the body (drug abuse, lack of exercise, etc.). It also means talking about and demonstrating how to respect the body. This includes talking positively about our bodies (not about the extra weight, its shape or its height) and speaking affirming words about teens' bodies (not, "don't you want to lose weight before prom?").
2. Eat healthy foods
Good food choices at home begin with good choices at the grocery store. Stock up on a wide variety of nutritious foods that you can prepare according to your family's schedule. Provide healthful, "no brainer" options for breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinner. For menu ideas and healthy cooking tips go to www.eatingwell.com.
3. Make family meals a priority
Many studies have proven that when families have dinner together on a regular basis, the children and teens are less likely to participate in harmful activities, have better grades, and have stronger ties to their parents and siblings. To help make meal times more meaningful, visit www.poweroffamilymeals.com.
4. Encourage and model an active lifestyle
Whether through organized sports or unstructured play, physical activity every day is a vital habit for a healthy body and a healthy family. Parents can model this selfcare by following an exercise plan regularly. Or, plan hiking or biking trips, nightly walks/jogs through the neighborhood, backyard pick-up basketball games, or a game of tennis.
5. Promote and accommodate quality sleep habits
People who get enough sleep have more energy during the day, are less likely to be overweight, think more clearly, and get sick less often. Allow for evening down time. In general, set a "family bedtime" and as much as possible, stick to it. At family bedtime, turn off all electronic and entertainment devices and phones and encourage a relaxed environment.
6. Minimize "tech time"
Our lives are constantly bombarded by technology - cell phones, texting, social media, internet, blogs, video games and television. These gadgets eat away at our mental, emotional, and physical energies. Learn to use technology wisely as a family. Have a "No Phone" policy at dinner time, bed time, and during church time. Keep computers, video games, and televisions in common areas of your home so everyone has a higher level of accountability.
7. Provide adequate and clean space to play, study, relax, and move
Home is where life is mostly messy. But overly cluttered, disorganized, crowded living spaces lead to confusion, frustration, and chaos in other areas oflife. Minimize clutter and overcrowding of living space.
8. Resolve conflicts in a Christ-like manner
Just as our homes aren't perfect, neither are the people living in them. Conflicts, disagreements, arguments, and anger are all normal. In healthy, Christ-following homes, conflicts need to be resolved with love, forgiveness, grace and mercy, just as we have been forgiven by Christ. Grudges, unforgiveness, resentment, and conflict are all stressors that lead to myriad health issues, even in teens.
Healthy families are not perfect, but they do maintain intentional habits and strategies. As parents set the example and model healthy habits, teens grow up with healthy attitudes and behaviors they can pass this along to the next generation.
This article is courtesy of Parenting Teens Magazine.