Thanks to One A Day with Nature’s Medley for sponsoring this post.
I received product/compensation from OAD to write this post, all opinions are my own.

One of the best gifts you can give to your children is teaching them to take good care of their bodies. A healthy home environment does wonders for the well being of your entire family. When it comes to food and exercise, what you say and do around your children has a lasting effect. You don’t have to be perfect, but if your kids see you trying to eat right and get active, they’ll notice your efforts. You’ll send a message that good health is impor­tant to you. Here are some easy ides for creating healthy habits for a healthier family.

Exercise

In today’s world where screen time often outweighs outdoor time, make sure your family gets moving. The goal for kids is at least 60 minutes a day. For younger kids, the sillier the better.  A healthier family plays together. Set up an obstacle course at a local playground or in your home if the weather is bad. For older kids, take family walks, shoot some hoops or bike rides. Consider creating a workout space to exercise together. Even a few yoga mats and hand weights will do.

Unplug as a Family

With teens in my home, getting them off of their smart devices is a challenge. Our meal time a tech-free zone. We also plan weekly unplugged activities. We have a family game night and make sure to get outdoors every weekend. When they were younger, we read to them every night. It’s a healthy habit we hope they will continue into adulthood.

Eat Right

Probably the biggest stumbling block for families is getting our kids to eat healthy. My teens are still picky eaters. Here are a few tips for creating healthy habits that have worked for us:

• Get kids involved in cooking and meal planning
  Our kids have enjoyed helping us cook since they were little. We now challenge them to search for healthy recipes on their own. 

• Use a reward system for making healthy choices
  We have one take-out night or one trip to the ice cream store each week. It’s something for the kids to look forward to for making healthier choices throughout the week.

• Limit unhealthy snacks in the pantry
  This one can be a challenge when they beg for chips and sweets. I try to keep the junk food to a minimum or at least choose healthier options that are made with organic ingredients.

Even when we follow these rules, we don’t always get the all of the key nutrients we need from food alone. That’s why we take a multivitamin each day for nutritional support. We recently tried One A Day with Nature’s Medley daily multivitamins. 

These tasty gummies are free from artificial flavors and sweeteners, which is important to me. I also love that they have plant-based antioxidants from one total USDA serving size of fruits and veggies. There are varieties available for men, women and kids. You can find them at your local Walmart.

Get Enough Sleep

Sleep is just as important as eating healthy and getting enough exercise. Implement a bedtime routine for everyone in the family. Give each family member time to unwind and focus on going to sleep. I like to read before bed. My daughter enjoys a warm bath or listening to soft music. My son likes to journal and my husband just snores.

Communication

Let your kids know that they can come to you to talk about anything. From a funny story to a question or concern, we want our kids to know that we are here for them no matter what. On weekends, we set aside some time for a family meeting. We discuss the highs and lows of the previous week and hash out any family disagreements that may still be lingering. We also discuss a plan for the week ahead.

Keeping healthy is not always easy. It’s making daily choices that are better for your body and promoting a healthier family.  I hope you’ve enjoyed these ideas for healthy habits for your family. 

Have another tip? Let us know in a comment.

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