Career Coach

Encourage Good Health Habits

by Lynn Berger

This month we'll focus on how to promote good health habits with your children.

• Lead by example. Show your children that you get the proper amount of rest and lead a balanced lifestyle.
  
  
• Join a gym as a family. Most gyms or community centers have discounted rates for families.
  
  
• Eat healthy foods. Keep plenty of fruits, vegetables and healthy snacks in the house.
  
  
• Use vacations productively. Center family vacations around physical activities such as bicycle riding, hiking, swimming, golf or tennis.
  
  
• Encourage all forms of exercise. For example, walking is better for your children than relying upon car rides or public transportation whenever possible.
  
  
• Keep passive activities to a minimum. Television, videos and computers may have some educational benefits but they contribute very little to the physical welfare of your children.
  
  
• Enroll your children in intramural activities. Besides learning how to compete it is a good way for them to meet other children.
  
  
• Visit doctors and dentists frequently. Explain the value of preventative measures to your children.
  
  
• Find activities that your children enjoy. Exercise should be challenging but they should provide children with a positive experiment. Use exercise as a way to make your children feel good about themselves.
  
  
• Have fun and relax. Use the opportunity of acquainting your children to physical activities as a means for you to exercise and release some of the stress in your life.