Work Life balance and family health
Work Life balance and family health. As part of our focus on improving health and wellbeing in the workplace, we’ll often talk about reducing stress, cutting down on unhealthy food, and becoming more active.
This is obviously just as important out of the workplace, especially if you have children.
After all, you want to make sure they grow up fit and healthy, too.
But we know that it can be hard to juggle work, family and physical activity.
So we thought we’d take a look at some of the fun activities you can encourage children to take part in, instead of watching TV or playing video games.
The Fusion guide to healthy family fun
First of all, let your kids help decide what to do.
Children are more likely to participate in something if they’re involved in picking it.
Running around
This is probably the easiest option of all.
Invite their friends round and let them burn off some energy.
Whether it’s in the garden, up and down the landing, or in the park, this is a great way of getting them out of your hair.
Plus, they’ll get their recommended 60 minutes of activity a day.
If you’re going out, combine it with a healthy picnic. They’re more likely to eat some fruit if it’s all you’ve got, and they’re hungry from all that running!
Take a walk
Walking is a fun and easy way for children to get active while spending time with you and their friends.
If you’ve got a dog, take them too. That’s another task completed for the day!
Doing regular charity walks is a great way for the whole family to get fit.
Events are held across the country and are aimed at all ages, levels, and abilities.
Search online for local charity walks in your area.
Dance off!
Whether you use a radio, CD, MP3 player or music streaming app, have a disco in your lounge.
All you need are some great tunes, and you and your children can have fun dancing anywhere.
Make a splash
Whether they’re doing lengths of the pool or having a good splash about, children love playing in the water.
Take them to your local leisure centre, swimming pool, Splash Park or (when the British summer arrives) dig out the blow-up pool in the garden!
Get on your bike
Cycling is a great alternative to the car or bus.
You don’t even need to have somewhere to get to, just taking the kids out for a bike ride is a fun activity.
Get muddy!
Kids love getting dirty, so get them involved in the gardening.
Whether they’re ripping out the weeds, mowing the lawn or planting flowers, they’ll see it as having fun, not exercising
Go camping
Children generally love camping holidays or even a night in the garden in a tent!
There’s lots of scope for activity for children of all ages, from putting up the tent to nature hikes.
A healthy diet for healthy kids
As well as physical activity, a healthy diet is important in growing children.
Any changes to your child’s diet and lifestyle are much more likely to be accepted if they involve the whole family.
Use these tips to help the whole family embrace a healthier lifestyle:
Eat at the table together
Studies show families who have regular meals at the table with no distractions (such as television) are more likely to be a healthy weight.
It also encourages you to have a conversation at meal times and helps with family relationships.
Ban fizzy and sweetened drinks
Persuade your children to drink water instead.
Children tend to drink fewer sweet drinks when they’re not freely available at home.
Family breakfast
Children who eat breakfast are less likely to overeat later in the day.
If time is an issue for everyone eating together, choose speedy yet healthy items such as peanut butter on wholemeal toast, or porridge and fruit.
Prepare more meals at home
It takes a little longer, but this way you can control what you put in food.
You can read food labels, use healthier ingredients, and control how much sugar and salt you use.
Get the kids involved with cooking and preparing the vegetables.
Have healthier takeaways
You don’t have to give up takeaways completely, just make smarter choices.
For instance, have mushy peas with your fish and chips and don’t eat all the batter around the fish.
Order lower-fat pizza toppings like vegetables, ham, and prawns.
Watch portion sizes
Portion sizes have increased over the years, and it’s one of the reasons children become overweight.
Start meals with small servings, and let your child ask for more if they’re still hungry.
Keeping a balanced lifestyle
With the right focus on activity and what you eat, you’ll find that you can balance the health and wellbeing of both you and your children.
And with the right occupational health services, businesses can offer support and advice on healthy living that their staff can use to benefit the whole of the family.
Get in touch with us today to find out how we can help.
