How much time does your family spend together each day? No, watching TV together or sitting next to each other while on smartphones, laptops, or tablets doesn’t count!
Thing is, for most of us it’s go, go, go all the time, resulting in too little time together. Most families have both parents working and spending quality time, or even sharing a meal together, becomes the exception rather than the rule. If you spend at least an hour every day interacting with your family in a meaningful way, that’s great! If you’re not, try to make that your goal.
There are a lot of reasons why family time rocks, but did you know that spending time with your family has a wealth of health benefits, especially for kids? The goal of every parent is to raise a happy and well-adjusted child, right? Sometimes parents become so anxious to raise a “successful” child that they overlook the importance of spending time interacting personally with their child.
In fact, several studies have shown that kids who eat dinner with their families frequently are more likely to do better in school, less likely to be overweight, and less likely to get mixed up with things like drugs and alcohol. Turns out that providing a child with adult time is just as important as nutritious food and plenty of exercise!
But, how can you make time for family in your already over extended schedule? Simple: proactively schedule family time. See whether it’s possible to eliminate some of your commitments, if not, try shuffling your schedule around, so that some extra time is available. Do your kids really need to take part in every after-school activity in which they’re currently enrolled?
So, if there’s just not enough hours in the day, here’s a little inspiration:
Make the most of every opportunity. Ask your child to join you on an errand, talk in the car and maybe stop for a treat.
Have dinner together. This is an important one. Prepare meals together. Encourage kids to discuss their highs and lows of the day. Clean up together.
Give her a call. According to a new study, talking on the phone with mom is nearly as good as getting a hug. The study found that talking on the phone with a parent reduces a key stress hormone and releases oxytocin, the feel-good brain chemical.
Read a bedtime story. Even ten minutes of quality time will make a difference.
Get tickets to a game, play catch in the garden, or go to gym together.
Go to the movies or the theatre. Watching something your child enjoys will help you to get to know her better.
Consider the cosmos. Visit the planetarium.
Spend time outdoors. Go cycling, gardening or simply take a walk together.
Play board games, relax and enjoy each other’s company.
Get everyone excited by planning a family trip at least once a year.
For us at Fedhealth, family is everything and that is why we, together with Sanlam Reality, offer lifestyle benefits like discounted flights, movie tickets and Computicket bookings that make it easier to spend more time with your loved ones.
So, relish family time. It is, after all, the healthy thing to do.
Source: www.health.com, www.nourishinteractive.com, time.com, www.dailymail.co.uk, www.talentedladiesclub.com, www.everydayhealth.com, www.ymcasv.org, www.ymca.net, thefamilydinnerproject.org, childdevelopmentinfo.com, cnn.com, www.thepathmag.com
