Better Wellness Comes With Better Weather
Whether the winter has been mild or bitterly cold, it may still be tough on your family. Days and days of gray skies and cold weather can make everyone feel a bit grumpy. Then there are the bad habits we develop over the winter months like binge-watching shows, playing video games all day, and eating comfort foods that are full of sugar and refined carbs.
But as the weather improves, so can your family’s wellness. Something that can really help is a plan to address everyone’s exercise, diet, and mental health.
It’s Time To Get Moving
Spring is when the weather finally starts to get better. The sun comes out more, and you can go outside without bundling up so much. That means spring is a great time to get your family moving around. But that can be difficult when you’re trying to involve the whole family. Here are some activities you can do even if some are older and some are younger.
Take walks together. If the weather is rainy, you can do this indoors at malls or some park district facilities. But a walk together in a park or forest preserve is a great way to stimulate bodies and conversations as a family.
Work in the yard. Chances are, your yard is going to need some care come end of winter. Just collecting some fallen branches and twigs is a start. You can also buy some items to plant like spring flowers or start your own vegetable garden in the backyard.
Go for a hike. Spending time in nature is highly therapeutic for everyone. Plus, even if you take a leisurely hike, you’re still moving your bodies and getting plenty of vitamin D and fresh air!
Take in a Yankees game with the fam. Even if you have little ones, a baseball game is a great way to get the family out and about. And you can find affordable tickets online through sites like TickPick. If baseball isn’t your thing, find your local community outdoor events that will inspire you to get out.
Adding Fruits and Veggies to Your Meals
Getting your family off the couch and moving is tough but rewarding. But have you ever tried getting everyone to start eating healthier foods? The big problem here is how everyone has different dietary needs and tastes. Adding different healthy foods, such as in-season veggies, is possible; it just needs a little planning.
Add more color to your plate. The American Heart Association has a great infographic that breaks veggies down by color, allowing your kids to pick and choose which they prefer (forcing them to eat something they don’t like isn’t the answer).
Switch to Mediterranean meals: Here, you try to skip processed, sugary American foods and focus instead on fish, vegetables, and whole grains. This is less a diet and more of a total adjustment of your eating habits.
Get your kids involved in the process. Take them with you to the grocery store, let them pick out vegetables they find appealing, and get them involved in meal planning.
With spring rapidly approaching, there are a lot of fruits and vegetables that are about to be in season. This list can help you determine what to look for.
Don’t Forget About Mental Health
Part of the problem with winter is how it can do a number on everyone’s mood. Some of that will be helped by getting active and eating right, but there are some specific things you can do to help your family’s mood this spring.
Start by cleaning the house and decluttering. By getting rid of things that no one uses or is associated with bad memories, you can help people feel better. Start with one room at a time to prevent it becoming too overwhelming. If your kids or partner have any specific triggers for bad moods or anxiety, talk to everyone about them. Then work together on a plan. For example, if bedtime is stressful for everyone in the home, work out a deal: If the children go to bed at the right time, they can go to the park the next afternoon.
In the end, spring is a time of renewal and rebirth. When Mother Nature comes back into bloom, take advantage of the better weather to help improve your family’s wellness.
Author: Claire Wentz