As parents, we always want to keep our kids healthy and happy. Choosing the best family health insurance options is a crucial step in the right direction, but it’s not enough.
Where to Start
Pediatric experts agree that kids need exercise to stay healthy. In a study conducted in 2005, it was found that school age kids should engage in at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous exercise each day. This can be achieved by playing sports, such as soccer or basketball, brisk walking and jumping rope.
Researchers note that, although modern day kids take in pretty much the same amount of calories, the amount of physical activity kids do today is considerably lower than that of kids 20 years ago. Sadly, the rise in popularity of gadgets and consoles have encouraged kids to stay at home playing video games or watching TV, reducing the amount of physical exercise they get.
An Hour of Physical Activity Daily
In theory, an hour of physical activity could be achieved in school by participating in physical-education activities and sports programs done after class. But, some schools nowadays no longer take physical education seriously- and that’s a problem.
If you want your child to be healthier, encourage them to be physically active. Encourage your child to participate in school sports programs or other activities that would get them off the couch. You can also plan family activities like cycling or jogging in the park, or simply walking around the neighborhood after dinner.
Protect Your Child from Disease
Encouraging physical activity in your children is great, but it’s not enough to safeguard their health. You also need to ensure that your child eats healthy food regularly. Eating right will give your child the nutrients they need to grow, develop stronger bones and muscles, have energy, and fight diseases.
Moreover, you should also pay attention to what your child snacks on and how much food they consume. They may be eating too much or too little, so balance is the key to health.
It can be difficult running a home, having a job and taking care of your kids all at the same time, but it’s something you need to do if you want to keep them from getting sick.
Teach Them Healthy Habits
Help your child develop habits that will enable them to make healthy choices. These include choosing healthy food over junk food, brushing their teeth, drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day, going to bed early, keeping a positive outlook, and so on.
And don’t forget to walk the talk. You are, after all, a role model in the eyes of your child, so exemplifying healthy habits in your own personal routine is essential for teaching them to your kids. Finally, always take the time to talk to your child and explain the importance of living a healthy lifestyle.
Follow these tips to protect your child from illnesses and to ensure their (and your health) now and well into the future.