Lifetime Wellness: Healthy Habits You Should Teach Children

What are the key ingredients for a lifetime of happiness? Nobody can ever say for certain, but it’s no secret that health and wellness play integral parts in living the best possible life. As Latin writer Publilius Syrus once noted, “Good health and good sense are two of life’s greatest blessings.”

Fortunately, parents can teach their children sensible, nourishing, and enriching habits to equip them with the actions and etiquette they need for a lifetime of well-being. We’ve compiled a list of these essential behaviors and activities below. Let’s take a closer look at the topic of lifetime wellness: healthy habits you should teach children.

Paint Your Plate: Eat the Rainbow

Eating balanced meals as much as possible is a main healthy habit you should teach children for lifetime wellness. The right vitamins and proteins are fundamental for human health, and even more so during the early developmental stages. As follows, including a side of fruits and veggies with each of your children’s meals is a top recommendation. Kids who eat from colorful plates fill up their bellies with high-fiber and high-nutrient foods, and with the right portions for their growth and wellness.

No worries if you have picky eaters who aren’t biting into the tasty rainbow yet. Be patient and consistent, modeling healthy eating practices and serving balanced meals to the entire family.

Sleep Tight: Make Rest a Priority

In our modern age, sticking to a solid sleep routine is no easy feat, with all the hustle and bustle of busy schedules. Nonetheless, getting enough rest should be the number one priority for children. Periods of rest are necessary for young bodies to recover and mature. Otherwise, children’s cognitive and physical development is highly affected. Research indicates that kids who get the recommended amount of sleep for their age each night are mentally, physically, and emotionally healthier. Besides, maintaining healthy sleep habits during youth can foster better sleep habits in adulthood.

Play Hard: Be Active Everyday

Children should know the importance of taking good care of their bodies from a young age—and how to do just so. Therefore, daily physical activity is another integral habit to teach. When kids spend time during the day playing hard or engaging in physical activities outside, they reap the benefits of better sleep, boosted mental health, greater self-esteem, stronger bodies, and improved focus.

Happy Smiles: Take Good Care of Your Teeth

Lastly, be mindful of the correlation between oral health and an individual’s overall health. This is critical, as certain childhood habits—such as frequent finger-sucking tendencies—directly influence mouth and dental health. For this reason, encouraging good oral habits is of the essence. Brushing and flossing one’s teeth daily from a very young age prevents tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease.

At the end of the day, you should view the above healthy habits as daily practices and not strict rules. Your children can steadily build upon these basic foundations for many years to come.