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Dentistry

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Orthodontics

(804) 740-7281

Healthy Habits For A Happier Family

Courtney

Happy New Year Friends! With a new year comes new goals, aspirations and of course challenges as we continue navigating virtual schooling, working from home and staying healthy during a pandemic. The stress of getting your family back into a routine after the holiday season is enough to derail many people from actually starting their new year’s resolutions. But we’re here to help! We’ve compiled a list of 5 healthy habits for you and your family to start living a happier life; right where you are!

1. Drink more water

Researchers suggest drinking half of your body weight in ounces of water per day! While juice and sports drinks may be your child’s top picks, try alternating these with water or milk throughout the day. In addition, to avoid cavities, skip soft drinks all together. *Pro Tip: use a fun water bottle or cup to help your kids drink more. It makes a difference, trust us!

2. Sit less, move more

This one may be a no brainer, but with virtual schooling and increased screen time it can be hard for your child to get all of that energy out in a day. Take 10 minutes every hour to walk around, stretch and step outside with your kids for some fresh air. You can even make a fun game or activity out of it; for instance, think “Simon Says with exercises” and let them be Simon. While, there are many reasons to get active, above all it’ll keep you and your kids a little more sane.

3. Get a good night’s sleep

This next one is much easier said than done; however sleep is one of the many healthy habits that is crucial for your child’s mental and physical development. Try to have a set bedtime for your child and stick to it. Always allow for at least 9 hours of sleep per night, but aim for them to get 9-11 hours if possible.

4. Skip the drive thru and eat at home

Convenience can become reliable. However, with a little pre-planning you can make healthy snacks to take on the road with you to sports and other activities. By prepping these ahead of time, you aren’t tasked with choosing between the lesser of two evils on the corner. In addition, meals together at home provide an opportunity for increased family bonding and relationship building, which have proven to boost children’s self-esteem.

5. Get outside

Lastly, spending time outdoors is associated with improving mood and happiness. In addition to a happier you, outdoor light stimulates our brains to keep our immune systems strong. So bundle up and send the kids outside for some exploratory play. Or take a walk together and reap the benefits of the great outdoors!

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