Better Together: May is Family Wellness Month
Embracing lifestyle changes by yourself can feel isolating, but what if you included your family in your health goals? Studies suggest that when you share your goals with people that you respect and admire, such as family, you are more likely to succeed due to increased motivation and a sense of accountability. And there is no better time to communicate with your family about healthy lifestyle goals and habits than during National Family Wellness Month!
With all the hustle and bustle of everyday life, take this month to help you and your family focus on your lifestyle. Some families may choose to evaluate their current habits and set goals to better their overall wellness. Others may set specific goals such as scheduling annual preventive screenings or deciding on a way to spend quality time together.
If you want to celebrate your family’s health and wellness, here are a few ideas to get you started:
Make Movement a Routine – regular physical activity has a profound impact not only on your physical health but also your emotional health. Take a scenic walk together or put on a family workout video from YouTube. Have fun with it!
Quality Time – whether it be a family game night, trip to the beach, or making dinner together, social connectedness is associated with happier and healthier lives for everyone involved.
Take a Family Health Day – schedule an annual screening all in one day and make an event out of it! Going to the doctor can be scary for children and adults alike, but staying on top of your preventive care is crucial for catching health issues early.
Taste the Rainbow – invite your family to eat one red, orange, yellow, green & blue/purple food this month. Take a family grocery trip to pick out the ingredients together so everyone can be more invested in the challenge!
Just remember that you are not alone in your health journey and embracing your support system can make habit changes much easier.