Summer vacation is finally here, which means the kids are home from school and it’s time to make some big plans. Summer is when the time goes by slow and you forget which day of the week it is. It also means you may slip and fall into an unhealthy lifestyle.
This summer make it a goal to create healthy habits for you and your family to follow that will set you and your children up for a successful future. Here are four natural ways you can keep your family healthy this summer and beyond.
1. Stay Hydrated
Water is the key to life. After all, you can only survive about three days without it. And during the hot summer months, staying hydrated is even more important. Our bodies use water in our cells, organs, and tissues to regulate our hormones, temperature, and functions. If you fail to drink enough water, you or your children can become dehydrated, have lowered energy levels, and face the risk of certain health issues.
During hot months, sweating increases due to heat and sun exposure. This is where a lack of water can cause serious health effects. To stay on top of your water game, make sure everyone in the family is fully equipped with a reusable water bottle they can refill at the park, the beach, or right at home. By drinking enough water, your organs and muscles will be able to function properly so you can create countless memories this summer. So, make sure everyone (even Fido) is drinking their agua!
2. Eat Healthily
Food is just as important, especially if your summer is spent running through sprinklers, hiking through national forests, or spending days on the lake. To keep up with an active lifestyle, you need to make sure everyone is getting enough fuel. It’s easy for children to go off with the neighborhood crew, explore the woods, roam the streets, and not return until you ring the bell (or their cellphone) to return home for dinnertime.
While you love seeing them live their innocent years carefree, it’s important that they stay well-nourished. Starting the day with a healthy and nutritious breakfast will set the tone for keeping your family healthy. Not only will everyone in the house be full and satisfied, but they’ll also have enough energy to last until lunchtime. And if your kids plan on going to the park or on an adventure, pack their bags with organic fruits and vegetables, sandwiches, and water.
Finally, as the sun begins to set and the cool breeze rolls in, it’s time for dinner. Eating together as a family for dinner has many proven health benefits. Aside from a healthy meal that nourishes the body, coming together as a family will create a strong bond. Children will open up and contribute to conversations, while parents will be able to provide guidance and wisdom, creating harmony in the house.
3. Use Sunscreen
Too much sun is no fun. While summertime is the epitome of pure happiness for many children, an epic sunburn can dampen that mood really quick. Both adults, teens, children, and babies all need to stay fully protected from the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays.
Opting for healthy sunscreens that don’t include harmful ingredients such as Oxybenzone (causes cancer!), will ensure no one ends up looking like a lobster and will keep your family healthy. Physical sunscreen is a much better option than liquid or spray sunscreen, as it uses active natural minerals that deflects the sun’s rays, rather than absorbs the sun’s rays and converting them into heat.
4. Get Exercise
Aside from laughter, exercise is the best medicine and a great way to keep your family healthy. It’s recommended you get at least 30 minutes of exercise each day. This can be something as simple as walking, or doing a home workout routine. Back in the day when technology was limited, you probably remember swimming for hours, playing backyard baseball, and riding bikes to chase the ice cream man.
Today’s children are spending half the amount of time outside compared to their parents, a shocking statistic that is due to a variety of societal factors such as social media and video games. This summer, encourage your little ones to play outside for at least three hours with friends and limit their phone, TV, and video game use to only the morning and night time. This will teach them to establish better relationships with peers and deeper respect for our earth.
Summertime Fun
Keep your family healthy can be fun! This summer make the most of your time by implementing these four natural ways of keeping your family safe so you can create countless memories to fill your photo album with. Eat well, drink enough, stay protected, and get exercise for a summer well spent.
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