As a parent, few things will grant you a greater sense of joy and accomplishment than raising happy, healthy kids. When our children are content with who they are and free of illness, it provides us with relief and the pride that comes with knowing that we did our best. We see them thrive in the world around them, become integral members of society, and succeed no matter the path they take.
If this is what we want, it starts with us, the family, the people living inside our homes. Only we can make the choices to be healthy, and it is up to us to decide.
With that in mind, let us explore three great tips for family health and wellness.
A Proactive Approach to Physical Health
Nobody can say with any degree of certainty who the first person to coin the phrase “prevention is the best medicine” was. Yet, we all know that it is accurate. Doing your best to avoid negative situations from happening or taking care of them as soon as they do is not only a more effective route to follow but also a cheaper one.
When it comes to your health and the health of your family, the same holds true. The more proactive an approach you take, the fewer problems you will have to deal with in the future.
But what does that entail? While there are different answers to this and other questions depending on whom you ask, it starts with paying attention to what your body is telling you and having the mental awareness to see the signs when they are there. For instance, if you start noticing a series of lower back or hip issues or a pain in your joints or muscles, your best bet is to visit a respected chiropractor in your area. Chances are he will not only recommend the best course of action to take but also prevent minor aches from becoming extreme or, even worse, irreparable.
A Beautiful Mind
According to the World Health Organization, one out of every six people with a mental health issue is between the ages of ten and 19. Even though half of all mental health conditions have already started when a person is 14 years old, the vast majority of them go undetected and untreated until adulthood.
This means that the actual number of teenagers with an illness related to the mind is much bigger. How much nobody knows for sure.
Invariably, there is still a lot of progress regarding the human brain and the many complexities that lie inside it. Perhaps we will never really know the completeness of what is happening inside our heads. In addition, research has shown that in some instances, mental illness is hereditary, and no matter who we are or what we do, we might succumb to it either early or at a later stage in our lives.
But even if our parents, grandparents, and other ancestors are to blame for some illnesses we suffer, there is still the concept of epigenetics. In Layman’s terms, it describes the process by which certain genes might or might not be triggered based on the environment around us as well as our behavior. Thus, despite carrying the mental illness gene inside our DNA, the right upbringing can prevent it from ever coming to light.
A Collaborative Process
Recent studies on liveability show that the northern European city of Helsinki in Finland has the best work-life balance. There are many reasons for this. First, it is a metropolis with a low population and little pollution. Second, it has a strong welfare system that provides a safety net for those who find themselves unemployed. Finally, all citizens have access to universal healthcare.
If one were to look at this data in more detail, a clear trend would emerge. That is, people in Finland and a few other European nations live in societies where there is a collaboration between the government, the private sector, and citizens themselves. All three aspects work in unison, the result being a better life.
In terms of family health, the same type of process is necessary. Local governments, education institutions, and private companies should work hand-in-hand to allow families to stay healthy. For instance, firms can provide employees with daycare centers for their kids. By the same token, schools can offer a nutritious breakfast to children who start school early. As for parents, they can lead their sons and daughters by example. They can be healthy themselves, engage in family-oriented physical activities on weekends, and make smart decisions on household meals.
If we want our families to be healthier, we should engage in preventive treatment and pay attention to our state of mind. We should also join forces with those around us to prioritize our well-being. Only then can we lead prosperous, satisfying lives.