Health and well-being of the people, old or young, have always been an absolute necessity, but, with the outbreak of the pandemic, things have become a little more serious. Therefore, it’s inevitable for each one of us to be cautious about our health particularly, and the older people along with the younger ones are to be specifically rendered a lifestyle that is healthier and nurturing.
Healthy lifestyle for children – a prerequisite
In order to grow into a healthier adult, it’s indispensable to render a healthy lifestyle to children. No matter how old or young they are, it’s the duty of the parents and the caregivers to look after how they are spending their days and nights, what are they eating as meals and how are they reacting to different situations around them. All of it constitutes a healthy life for children.
Here are some of the wellness tips for kids that we all must make sure to practice as much as we can with our little ones at home.
- Be a positive role model
Don’t expect children to be efficiently following a healthy lifestyle when you are not. Kids are learners; they learn and do what they see their adults doing. So, it is absolutely necessary for you to be their positive role models, as that is what is going to instill a healthy lifestyle in kids.
- Restrict screen time
There are different normal sleeping hours for children from infancy to teenage – it’s important for an infant to sleep for 12-16 hours, for toddlers to 11-14 hours, for children of 3-5 years, it’s 10-13 hours, for those between 6-12 years of age, it’s 9-12 hours, and for teenagers, it’s 8-10 hours.
Kids who get the required amount of sleep are more likely to maintain a healthier lifestyle and perform better. Therefore, it is recommended to limit their screen time and avoid televisions in bedrooms so that you succeed in developing healthy sleeping habits in children.
- Participate in physical activities
Kids need at least 60 minutes of daily physical activity. Therefore, it’s necessary for the whole family to involve in physical activities every day. It’s fun for them and equally for you! Above all, it’s going to help the adults in the family too to maintain their own health.
- Make family mealtime a special time together
Preparing meals at home is beneficial in more than one way – it is hygienic, nutritious, of course, but it also succeeds in creating an emotional bond with the food prepared which tempts you to eat homemade food more often than going outdoors to having it. Therefore, when the family dines together a meal prepped at home, it tastes more delicious and can make a big difference in your family’s health and happiness.
- Encourage mindful eating
Simply eating to feed the tummy is never advisable. You must teach your children the significance of eating mindfully. Ban screen time at meals so that they can focus on the food. Children have a tendency to skip meals while they’re involved in something interesting, don’t let that happen. In fact, teach them easy tricks of prepping food so that it interests them too. And, most importantly, your child must understand when he/she is full, uncomfortably full, very hungry, or a bit hungry, discuss with them the clues rendered by the body.
- Diets are not the answer
If you’re planning to put your children on diets, never do it without consulting a children’s doctor, as it can do more harm than benefit. Forbidding foods only increases a child’s desire for that food. Instead of saying no to his/her favorite food, limit the quantity.
Above all, the most important part of healthy living for kids is to regularly keep a check on your child’s growth. Consult a pediatric physician or pediatric nutritionist whenever you observe anything abnormal or wish to plan something for the healthy lifestyle of children.
You can also get in touch with the top pediatric doctors at the Park Group of Hospitals via 18001026767.
