By Sean Lynam
To lead a healthy life, it is essential to consciously practice self-care behaviors. Self-care practices not only improve the individual’s psychological and physical health but may also improve social well-being. The importance of taking care of oneself is well-established and acknowledged, but the outcome of practicing self-care as a family can be even better.
Why is it Important to Practice Self-Care as a Family?
When each family member practices self-care habits, the home environment improves. It becomes positive and well-optimized for growth and happiness. Here are some of the primary reasons why practicing self-care as a family is important:
Practical Example
Parents and caretakers like nannies can serve as role models for this approach by prioritizing self-care and building effective routines around it. Children tend to observe and emulate the behaviors of the adults around them. You can instill lifelong healthy habits in the children by providing practical examples to the children.
Strengthening of Bonds
When the family engages in self-care activities together, new avenues open up for strengthening familial bonds. The family members not only get to spend more time with each other but also ensure that this time together is meaningful. It is helpful for fostering a sense of belonging in the members of the family.
Reduction in Stress
Engaging in self-care activities as a family can help reduce stress levels and promote relaxation. Life can be very stressful at times, even for children; it is important to understand this and tackle it. Engaging in hobbies, games or any other self-care activities can contribute significantly toward alleviating stress.
Increased Resilience
When you foster a nurturing environment, you understand each other better, and you can offer the required support to each other during difficult times. You can also work together (as a family) on the skills required to bounce back from adversity and thus cultivate resilience.
Ways to Practice Self-Care as a Family
If you haven’t tried engaging in self-care practices with your family before, you can start now. Here are a few ideas that might prove helpful:
Practice Mindfulness Techniques Together
It is extremely important to learn, instill, and practice mindfulness techniques in this day and age. It’s a good idea to reserve some time of the day or some days as a device-free period for the whole family. This time will ensure meaningful interactions without the distractions of devices. Although it should not be this way, the truth is, devices are obstructing mindfulness. Children need to be taught mindfulness through self-care activities. Practice guided meditation, deep breathing exercises, yoga, or other mindfulness techniques together.
Take out time to play together
If you play together, you stay together. For the kids, playing is their love language. The more time you play with them, the more they feel loved. These are the memories with which they will grow up. Play, but not just for the kids, for yourself too. Playing together as a family also counts as self-care. It distracts everyone from worries, it helps improve relationships, stimulates the mind, and freshens the mood. The family could play physical games, board games, word games, verbal games, or even online games together.
Establish healthy routines
Many healthy habits can be cultivated with the help and support of each other. Maintaining a healthy and nutritious diet becomes easier if everyone is involved. Enlist the kids to help in the preparation process, and teach them about nutrition; consequently, they will be more receptive to the whole idea and more cooperative. The whole family can unwind together with an established night routine. It may just help all the family members get sufficient rest. The family can also set a time wherein everyone goes for a walk together or does some easy bodyweight exercises. Such practices will help improve the health and bonding of the family. When the entire family tries to stick to set routines and healthy habits, there is more motivation and support.
Support and encourage individual self-care practices
The activities that you do as a family are important, but it is also essential to encourage individual self-care practices. This is because the likes, dislikes, and needs of family members may vary. Support the other family members, especially the kids, in pursuing their hobbies, interests, and personal self-care routines.
Conclusion:
When you start practicing self-care as a family, it is important to be flexible and accommodating. Everyone should be allowed to express their individuality while still prioritizing the well-being and happiness of the family as a unit. Self-care may be a personal journey, but it will be more enjoyable and easier with the support and help of the family.
Sean is fitness enthusiast and personal trainer by profession, and a freelance writer by passion. Sean writes and shares his knowledge for a range of fitness publications and nutrition brands.