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11 Feel-Good Ways to Prioritize Your Family's Wellness
May marks Family Wellness Month, an annual celebration encouraging families to take better care of their physical, mental, and emotional health. Why? Putting your healthy foot forward can help improve your family’s overall health and well-being! This month on the Vibrant Health blog, we’re sharing 11 feel-good ways to prioritize your family’s wellness this May and beyond.
11 Ways to Prioritize Your Family’s Wellness
- Shop for Local Farm-Fresh Produce
- Cook a Healthy Meal Together
- Walk it Out
- Regularly Spend Time Outside
- Start a Family Garden
- Make Sure You’re Up to Date on Your Health Checkups
- Normalize Talking About Mental Health
- Develop a Healthy Family-Friendly Morning Ritual
- Attend a Group Wellness Workshop or Class
- Schedule Time for Self-Care
- Meditate (Together)
1. Shop for Local Farm-Fresh Produce
Make grocery shopping fun again by shopping locally together as a family! Spring is a great time to take advantage of visiting local farm stands and markets to browse in-season produce like asparagus, greens, and strawberries. And in honor of National Strawberry Month, you can even plan a family outing at a local farm to go strawberry picking!
2. Cook a Healthy Meal Together
Speaking of seasonal eating, a great way to get the whole family eating well is by getting everyone involved in the kitchen! Take turns choosing recipes, and try cooking together — giving each family member a different role (like washing veggies for the kids). This Spring Pea & Asparagus Pasta is perfect for a simple, healthy family dinner night in!
3. Walk it Out
In honor of National Walking Month, now is an opportune time to lace up your sneakers and walk it out!
Whether you head out for a nightly walk after dinner or sign up for a local 5K road race, walking is a great way to bond with your family while sneaking in some exercise. After all, meta-analysis research studies have found outdoor walking groups to provide a number of health benefits — including a reduction in both blood pressure and depression symptoms. Win, win!
4. Regularly Spend Time Outside
With the weather warming up, you’ll naturally want to spend more time outside with your family, but did you know it’s actually good for you too? Several studies have linked spending time in nature to improved mental health and overall well-being, including a recent study by Frontiers that found spending just 20 minutes in nature can lower stress.
Gather with your family to make a list of spring and summer “bucket list” items you can do together outside in nature — such as a picnic in the park or outdoor family day trip.
5. Start a Family Garden
One surefire way to encourage spending more time together outside is by starting a family garden. From florals and herbs to seasonal fruits and vegetables, there are many options to plant in your backyard! Not only does it get you moving, but home gardening is a great way to prioritize your health — since you’re literally growing your own produce from the ground up.
6. Make Sure You’re Up to Date on Your Health Checkups
Are you up to date on your family health checkups? From well-child visits and physicals to mammograms and dental cleanings, it’s important to ensure all family members are staying on top of preventative healthcare. Set aside some time this season to get those appointments on the calendar once and for all!
7. Normalize Talking About Mental Health
Mental health doesn’t have to be taboo! While it may be difficult to talk about at times, it’s important to encourage open and honest conversations about mental health topics — including anxiety, depression, and body image. Check-in with one another regularly, and show your support for anyone in need. Even simply asking “How are you today?” can go a long way.
8. Develop a Healthy Family-Friendly Morning Ritual
Does your family have a morning routine? While you may have your own go-to wellness rituals, it can be helpful to come up with one as a family too!
Whether it’s pulling affirmation cards together over breakfast or dropping a daily note in the family gratitude jar, try creating a morning routine that works for your family! Here are some steps to help you create a healthy morning routine!
9. Attend a Group Wellness Workshop or Class
This spring, set a goal to attend a wellness workshop or class together as a family! With spring in full swing and summer around the corner, there are a number of outdoor events available — including family yoga nights, group hikes or interactive wellness seminars. It’s a great way to spend time with your family, learn something new and meet other like-minded people in your community!
10. Schedule Time for Self-Care
Self-care isn’t selfish, and showing your family the importance of taking care of yourself is important. Whether you plan an at-home family spa night (with DIY facials) or set aside some quiet time for reading, be sure to prioritize your family’s happiness and well-being. Here are some simple spring self-care ideas to try this season!
11. Meditate (Together)
June is National Meditation Month, encouraging folks to get in touch with their spiritual side through meditation. This ancient practice has been around for thousands of years, and it’s touted for its potential to reduce psychological stress while promoting mindfulness.
Whether you meditate regularly or you’ve never tried it, set aside some time this month to meditate together as a family. Try this guided sensory meditation from Insight Timer, which is beneficial for both children and adults alike!
DISCLAIMER: This information is not intended as a substitute for advice provided by a competent health care professional. You should not use this information in diagnosing or treating a health problem. No claim or opinion in this blog is intended to be, nor should be construed to be, medical advice. If you are now taking any drugs, prescribed or not, or have a medical condition, please consult a competent physician who is aware of herb/drug interactions before taking any herbal supplements. The information presented herein has not been evaluated by the FDA or the Department of Health and is not intended to diagnose, prevent, cure, mitigate or treat any disease or illness.
