Did you know that nearly 80% of New Year’s resolutions are forgotten come February?
Right now, in my own family, we are reflecting on the goals we set in 2017 and thinking about where we’d like to see ourselves in 2018.
Here are five healthy living resolutions for your family to try in the new year:
1. Make healthy food choices together
Surround your family with healthy options at home to expose them to nutritious foods. The more involved kids are in planning and cooking healthy meals, the more likely they are to eat them — try planning a weekly family menu together.
2. Prioritize sleep
Getting optimal levels of sleep can make all the difference in your child’s well-being and their academic performance. Set bed times that benefit your family — research shows adolescents require eight to nine hours of sleep each night.
3. Schedule study time
Talk as a family regularly to make sure your child’s schedule allows them to complete school work on time while leaving room for extracurricular activities and healthy family meals.
4. Promote physical health
Plan a family outing that is active — try hiking, walking, running or visiting a park. Challenge your children to sign up for activities through school or local programs to limit sedentary screen time at home.
5. Set an example
Whether we realize it or not, our children tend to watch and mimic our every move. If you make a commitment to being active and eating healthy, there’s a good chance they will follow.
It’s never too late to set goals in your family to promote and maintain healthy lifestyles at home and at school. We encourage parents to partner with teachers, school leaders and nutrition teams to create school environments that promote healthy behaviors. Getting into new routines can take time but the benefits of establishing healthy habits and mindsets in our children are worth it.
Jim Accomando, President, National PTA, [email protected]