Healthy habits for healthy families

Happy new year everyone! I hope your holidays were lovely and the new year is starting off nicely. I always appreciate the long, unplanned days that come with breaks, filled with opportunities to fully unplug and relax. I hope you were all able to do the same during the holiday break. 

For many, a new year is a chance to develop new habits. Some focus on personal health related resolutions, others give more attention to their professional goals, and yet others devote their time and attention to family and/or community. The most ambitious and optimistic strive for a shift in all areas of their lives. A year is a long time, too long for some, making it easy to lose hope and give up. If you fall into this camp, instead try focusing on a new habit for 30 days at a time. Try something new for 30 days

Looking for healthy habits to adopt for 2016? Look no further!

• How about eating together as a family? Children are 24% more likely to be eating healthy foods and 35% less likely to have disordered eating in families that share at least three meals together a week. Positive benefits of shared family meals
• Looking to increase your own physical activity? Did you know that only 1 in 5 adults meets the recommendations for physical activity and less than 3 in 10 high school students get 60 minutes of physical activity every day? Modeling and being active together is the best way to get your children to develop healthy lifelong habits relating to activity and exercise. Physical activity information
• Are you getting sufficient sleep? Most of us are not, and it turns out that good quality sleep is good for your heart (among many other things). The effect of sleep on your heart 
• Looking for balance? Cutting back on your own screen time will have a multitude of positive results, including modeling positive habits for your children, leaving you more present in your daily life, giving more time for other activities and helping to improve the quality of your sleep (see above point). Healthy screen habits for the whole family 

I have my own set of resolutions for the year and look forward to sharing successes, challenges and strategies!

A few upcoming events not to miss: 

• The Great Conversations "Growing Up" class is being held at Annie Wright Jan. 13th and 20th for children ages 10-12 and their trusted adult. Growing Up class 
• Two speakers on one night! Tuesday, Feb. 23rd starting at 6:30pm in the Great Hall. 
• The Science of Addiction, by Noel Webster from the Olalla Recovery Center
• Developing a Healthy Relationship with Food, by Lisa Geraud from the Eating Recovery Center of Washington. 

Until next week, take care!