After the insanity of 2020, it makes sense that in 2021 people may be looking to reset and change things up from the year that has passed. We’re still in a time of uncertainty, so making sure you and your family are doing the right things to keep you connected and happy within is vital. We spoke to a few experts who shared some healthy lifestyle changes you and your family can incorporate into your everyday life.
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1. Establish a Healthy Routine
Happy family, happy life. Parents or carers can easily kickstart some healthy habits from day one. Like any coach, taking the lead and modelling healthy day routine and habits like eating and sleeping well, exercising, and establishing a daily routine, all build a solid foundation for self-improvement and mind and body health.
Equally important is some family time, whether at dinner time or a set ‘downtime’ period to engage in an activity or relax together. Time together encourages families to maximise any opportunity to share in their children’s lives, improves self-esteem, and strengthens relationships. Keep in mind, children learn by what they can see and hear – so ditch perfection. Take the pressure off and embrace your family time. We need to stop trying to be perfect – no more perfect parents, no more perfect kids, and no more perfect families. Make healthy changes with your family, and feel good!
Dr Emmanuella Murray is a Clinical Psychologist who has been practising for over ten years.
2. Take a Minute to Pause and Reset
2020 had many people struggling and burning themselves out. It highlighted the importance of taking a moment to pause and reset before you get to this point, and this is also an important habit to instil in your kids from a young age. It is a habit that could help them for life!
Taking 20 minutes to meditate, do some breath work and deep breathing, walk in nature, take notice of your surroundings on a regular basis can want everyone needs for ongoing nourishment of their mental health. I highly recommend that this could be a change that will benefit your entire family in 2021 and in the future
Luke Mcleod, Meditation and Mindfulness instructor. Founder of SoulAlive.com.au
3. Consume Superfoods
When making healthy changes for the whole family, I believe it is much easier to add things first rather than just take things away. One of the easiest ways to do this is by adding some simple superfoods to your meals to help enhance your nutrition.
These are the top two family-friendly superfoods: healthy lifestyle changes
Sprouts: there are a wide range of sprout options out there, but my top picks are alfalfa, broccoli, mung bean and bean sprouts. Sprouts are jam-packed with vitamins and minerals needed for every stage of life, they are lower in calories and are easy to sprinkle on the top of your meals, salads, in sandwiches or mixed through soups. Aussie Sprouts are my top pick as they are Australian owned & grown and found in all good supermarkets.
Hemp seeds: A deliciously mild seed that is super high in healthy anti-inflammatory fats, protein and minerals. These little powerhouses are great sprinkled over any meal or blended into smoothies to supercharge your nutrition.
Michaela Sparrow Nutritionist, Naturopath, Anti-Ageing Practitioner
4. Quality Time
A healthy change that I recommend you do with the entire family that my girls and I really enjoy and bond over is a good old fashioned walk. We have it scheduled two times a week and have our favourite spot to grab a coffee afterwards. It’s so simple, but sometimes the simple things in life make the most significant difference. Quality time with family is so important as we can get caught up with being very busy in our own schedules.
Adala Bolto, founder of ZADI Training, Female-Specific workout programs
5. Make Movement Playtime
Play allows children to explore, spark wonder, take risks and create meaning. As adults, we seem to lose our natural ability to play, but if we invest even a small amount of time into playful activities, it can impact our lives and make us happier.
Stand up, paddleboarding is an incredible way to include movement play as a family! Stuart Brown in his book “Play” talks about the concept of movement play; he states that “through movement play, we think in motion, it lights up the brain and fosters learning, innovation, flexibility, adaptability and resilience’ perfect tools to increase physical and mental well being as a whole family. Maybe its time to invest in a board!
Our favourite is Red Paddle Co, the planet’s number one inflatable board made to last and be taken on all your family adventures.
Venturing into the outdoors for a family SUP adventure has an incredible power to bring about mental and emotional growth, sometimes in the most unexpected ways. Nature is a creative problem-solving playground, and adaptive thinking is a great tool to instil in children to build resilience against daily life stressors. Not only is the body being challenged with a pretty fun and exciting way to move, but so is the brain-boosting not only physical health but mental health too. Maybe it’s time to invest in a board!
Kylianne Farrell – ecotherapist, counsellor, fitness industry educator and presenter, personal trainer, mental health first aid instructor, mental health advocate and a Red Paddle Co Expert.
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