10 ways to celebrate Family Wellness Month

Did you know that May is Family Wellness Month? Family Wellness Month was created to encourage families to improve communication and make lifestyle changes that promote the emotional, mental and physical health of the entire family. Dr. Elizabeth Petersen, resident at Brigham and Women’s Family Care Associates at Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital, offers 10 ways you and your family can celebrate this month and build healthier habits that will last for the rest of the year:

1.       Make Healthy Food Choices

Start simple, find a healthy alternative to a favorite recipe, switch to non-fat milk or replace soda with water. Take the “rainbow challenge” and see who can eat the most colorful combination of fruits and vegetables. Set a goal to cook dinner together as a family one night per week and to slow down and eat dinner at the table instead of on the run.

2.       Stay Active Outdoors

Get your family moving with a walk after dinner, a game of tag, a bike ride or a weekend trip to the beach. For a fun and inexpensive activity in the city, try to visit all of the parks, playgrounds or walking trails in your neighborhood. Stuck inside on a rainy day? Make a game out of daily chores, practice a new yoga pose or take on an active video game such as Wii Fit or Just Dance.

3.       Volunteer Together

Find opportunities in your neighborhood to volunteer as a family and connect with the community you live in! Clean up a stretch of beach or a local playground, visit a nursing home, donate to a local food pantry or plant trees.

4.       Family Game Night

Whether you enjoy board games, a classic game of cards or a round of charades, game night will allow your family to relax, laugh and spend some quality time together. Games also teach kids patience and fair play and help to improve their strategy and reasoning skills.

5.       Grow a Garden

You don’t have to have a green thumb or a yard to enjoy gardening. Consider a container garden, hanging tomato plants or an indoor terrarium if you don’t have a yard. Kids will enjoy planting seeds and watching them grow. And, weeding and watering a garden encourages physical activity and teaches responsibility.

6.       Go Unplugged

Encourage your family to unplug from television, video games, phones and social media. Try a weekly challenge such as “no text Tuesday” or “phone free Friday” and ask everyone to turn off their phones at the dinner table each night. Use your new found free time to check out a book at the public library, visit the zoo, go on a picnic or take a trip to the science museum.

7.       Create a Memory Book

As we approach the end of the school year, engage your family in creating a memory book highlighting all of your adventures. Include your best family photos, mementos from trips, school projects and your child’s latest artistic creation. Have each family member design a few pages of their favorite activities and accomplishments to include in the book.

8.       Sleep Well

Set bedtimes and develop a positive bedtime routine to ensure that kids are getting enough sleep. Keep bedrooms quiet and dark by removing televisions, computers, cell phones and other gadgets. Prepare for bed with a relaxing bath or soothing music, keep teeth healthy with good brushing and set aside time to read stories together each night before bed.

9.       Connect with Family

Find a special way to show your family how much you love and appreciate them this month. Make it a priority to visit grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends who you don’t see as often as you would like. If your family is too far away to visit in person, send a card or make a weekly video chat date to stay connected.

10.   Take Care of Yourself

Self-care can help keep your family well. Whether you want to practice meditation, quit smoking, maintain a healthy weight or further your education, use this month to set an example for your family. Encourage your kids to challenge themselves as well, whether it’s improving their reading or making their bed every day, they will benefit from setting a personal goal and working to achieve it.

And don’t forget, regular check-ups with your primary care provider are important to ensure the continued physical and mental health of you and your family!

Does your child need a primary care provider? The physicians at Brigham and Women’s Family Care Associates at Brigham at Women’s Faulkner Hospital are accepting new pediatric patients. To make an appointment, contact us Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm, at 617-983-7025. Appointments are available in English and Spanish.