Creating a healthy lifestyle is something adults commonly think about, often making changes later in life. However, what healthy lifestyle habits can you incorporate into the lives of your children? FC Dallastown Soccer Club invites you to consider these six ways you can teach your children about wellness at an early age.

1. Limit Caffeine Intake

Caffeine is generally safe when consumed in moderation, but that primarily refers to adults. Obviously, you can’t get away with having your morning coffee and telling your teens to avoid caffeine. However, you should keep stimulants away from the little ones until they are old enough to handle the effects.

2. Take Them Outdoors for Exercise

Exercise for children has to come in fun activities. If you want to get them accustomed to playing outdoors, you have to find ways to make it interesting. When you’re not feeling up to it, a fenced-in backyard can become an adventure with a child’s imagination. However, when you have the time and energy, try to get involved. As with practicing other forms of staying healthy, when you exercise with the kids it models good habits that will likely last a lifetime.

You can also take them on nature walks or to the zoo. If you provide open, outdoor space, they’ll take advantage of it.

3. Teach Them to Read Nutrition Labels

In general, people are becoming more conscious of the ingredients in their food and how they can affect their health. However, nutrition education is seriously lacking in many parts of the U.S. Research from Coast Packing Company and Ipsos Research shows that many people don’t even understand the concept of processed food and why it’s lacking nutritional value. When you take your children shopping for food, teach them to read the label and understand how to look for healthy ingredients.

4. Cook Breakfast Every Morning

The University of Delaware notes that breakfast is the most important meal of the day for a reason. It’s the first meal you have after an extended period without sustenance. Cooking breakfast every morning can be a tedious task. You’re busy trying to get everyone up and ready for the day, but starting the day with a healthy meal is a great way to teach your kids about prioritizing nutrition. As they get older, they’ll get more involved and know how to make breakfast for themselves. 

5. Teach Them About Positive Thinking

Positive thinking is a powerful tool to help you create a healthy lifestyle. The best way to teach your children about thinking positively is to be an example. How do you feel about your career? Do your children see you coming home and complaining about your work day? Make changes in your life that dispel negativity and align your work with your purpose. Your children will notice and feed off of your positive energy.

6. Create a Safe Space at Home

Creating a safe space at home involves both physical and mental safety. You can keep the environment stress-free by offering your children a space to talk about their feelings and feel heard. When something goes wrong, try to maintain your calm and react with patience. Keep home physically safe by decluttering and organizing rooms to keep any items that could injure a child in a safe place where they cannot access them. This could be a locked cabinet in the garage or a high shelf in the kitchen.

Being a parent is challenging. You’ll make mistakes, and you won’t always have the energy to keep your schedule rigid. However, even small efforts to create a healthy life for your kids can have a profound effect on them later in life.

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FC Dallastown Soccer Club fosters the development and growth of the player holistically, using soccer as a way to teach life skills  such as leadership, teamwork, dedication, and courage. Contact us today for more info! info@fcdpa.org