More and more young parents are investing in the notion of raising healthy kids by promoting a culture of good health at home.

But achieving that ideal is not always as simple as it should be with so many temptations working against it.

Corporate giants promote their fatty fast foods, their sugary drinks and their couch or bedroom-constricting video games.

It can quickly leave an unsuspecting parent with an obese, withdrawn and unhealthy child who rarely ventures outdoors.

Here are some ways parents can teach their children the value of good health at home so they take those values with them for the rest of their lives.

Lead by example 

There is no better example than learned behaviour – and depending on the quality of that behaviour, sometimes no worse example.

That’s why you should establish healthy routines and lead by example so your children will follow.

To do this you should:

  • Eat healthy nutritious foods, keeping highly processed and junk foods to a minimum
  • Exercise regularly and when possible together, framing it as fun and rewarding rather than a chore
  • Establish good sleeping patterns
  • Manage stress effectively, teaching kids various techniques

Stock the house with healthy options

Make good health at home unavoidable.

That means stocking the fridge and pantry with health snacks like yoghurt, fruits, nuts and whole grains rather than unhealthy options like potato chips, processed foods and sugary drinks.

Buy some gym equipment or an exercise bike for all to use and take the lead by regularly working out at home.

Eat family meals together

Families that regularly eat dinner together see a positive impact on their children’s development.

These include:

  • better grades
  • lower risk of anti-social behaviour
  • lower risk of obesity and eating disorders
  • lower risk of substance abuse

Parents should insist devices are not brought to the table, allowing family members to converse without interruption or distraction.

This allows family members to talk about their lives, feelings and concerns in a safe environment. 

It improves the conversational skills, knowledge, confidence and self-esteem of children while also giving them a voice.

Eating home-cooked meals together also teaches children about the importance of good nutrition and provides a framework for them to carry into their own lives when they leave home.

Exercise together

Family exercise is a great bonding experience as well as having obvious health benefits for all.

There are so many free and fun ways families can exercise together including. Here are just a few:

  • bike riding
  • hiking
  • walking
  • tennis
  • surfing
  • beach volleyball
  • backyard or park cricket

Communication

Communication is such an important plank of so many ventures including establishing a culture of good health at home.

Encourage your children to have open and honest discussions about their own health, both physically and mentally.

Teach them the relationship between good physical and mental health.

Promote emotional intelligence by encouraging them to talk about their feelings and emotions rather than bottling them up inside.

Offer them a journal to record their thoughts.

Stress the importance of relaxation, hobbies and socialising to blow off steam.

Give your children a voice

Communication is a two-way street and that means giving your children a voice.

Involve them in decision making around the home regarding health.

Consult them on their choice of a healthy dinner, choosing a family activity or even setting their own sleep times within healthy limits.

At the same time, teach them about the basics of health, how their bodies work and why they need nutritious food, regular exercise and regular sleep.

Within reason, allow them to make their own informed decisions about their health.

Limit screen time

Children allowed too much screen time inevitably suffer from a dearth of real world connections.

This ultimately inhibits their communication skills which can lead to loneliness or even anti-social behaviour.

The Australian Institute of Family Studies recommends no more than two hours of screen time per day for children aged 5-17.

The reality is that many children are spending up to four times that amount on devices resulting in problems such as obesity, anxiety, attention disorders, self-esteem and behavioural issues.

Promote positive body image

Be conscious about not making negative comments regarding your own, your children’s or even other people’s body shapes.

Instead, focus on the principles already discussed to encourage better health.

Teach children to appreciate their own unique strengths whatever they may be.

This promotes self-confidence and wards off negative thoughts which can lead vulnerable teenagers down a dark path.

Reinforce the idea that health is not just about appearance but feeling good, being active and making good choices.

Introduce mindfulness and stress management

Introduce your kids to mindfulness exercises such as deep breathing and meditation.

Encourage them to be aware of the signs of stress and to engage coping mechanisms, discussing the importance of exercise, eating and sleeping well and talking about their problems.

Consider seeking professional counsel for your children if they become overly burdened by stress, anxiety or depression.

Book an appointment

Raising kids is a full-time job and one of the hardest but most rewarding parents are likely to experience.

Promoting good health at home makes great sense and is a life lesson they will take with them, long after they leave the nest.

But you cannot be expected to do it all.

That is why regular check-ups for yourself, your partner and your kids is the final piece in your health puzzle.

Even regimes boasting an enviable culture of good health at home sometimes need professional help.

And even when everything seems normal, a scheduled annual check-up with a GP can help nip a small problem in the bud before it manifests into something bigger.

At AHA Clinics, caring and friendly GPs are invested in making sure all of your family members are in tip top shape.

We can also discuss with you some ideas about how to better nurture a culture of good health in your home.

Whatever your concern, there is no better place to address it than at AHA Clinics.

Book an appointment here today at either our Seaford Road Day and Night Clinic or our Seaford Meadows Day and Night Clinic.