There are many types of self-care: physical, social, mental, spiritual, and emotional. And all of them play an important role in every human being’s wellness. 

Although many have associated self-care with relaxation and resting, it’s more than that. This year, take some time to reevaluate how you can take care of yourself and your family to help you maintain a well-balanced and happier life.

Here are 7 family friendly self-care tips to help you get started. 

1. Eat a balanced diet 
2. Stay active
3. Get good sleep 
4. Set time limits on technology 
5. Spend quality time together
6. Check-in with your Mental Health 
7. Self-Reflect 

Eat a Balanced Diet 

Eating a well-balanced diet is the most important aspect of self-care. Include plenty of healthy fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. The body requires the right amount of nutrients from these food sources for it to perform at its best. 

With many innovative food recipes shared on social platforms, integrating vegetables into your meals has never been easier. Eating healthy is not impossible nor does it have to be a burden. Teach your family that the key is moderation, and you can implement the rule of 90-10, eat healthy foods 90 percent of the time and fun foods 10 percent, but ultimately, do what works best for you. Choosing organic products like those by Nature’s Path is a great way of being more mindful of the types of ingredients your family is eating. Always read labels and know where your food is coming from. 

Stay Active 

Staying active means moving your body throughout the day whether it's taking the stairs instead of the elevator or extra steps. There are so many ways you can stay active with your family. 

One easy way is to take daily walks outside. A study conducted by Harvard Health found that people who walk 20 minutes a day, at least 5 days a week, were less likely to take any sick days. Walking also promotes weight loss, eases joint pain, and boosts immune function. 

You can also get your family involved in other physical activities like hiking, biking, playing a sport, or doing some yoga stretches before bed. 

If you can, try your best to go outside and out in nature. In an article published in The American Psychological Association, Kirsten Weir argues that nature has many benefits and contributes to happiness. Nevertheless, take time to dedicate some movement during the day with your family. 

Get Good Sleep 

Getting good sleep is another important component to self-care. Sleep gives your body, brain, and other bodily functions the necessary rest for growth and development. The Sleep Foundations suggest that adults need at least 7-9 hours of sleep whereas babies, children and teenagers need more since they are still developing. 

Additionally, getting good sleep also promotes the development and longevity of the 

• Heart and circulatory system
• Hormones 
• Metabolism system 
• Respiratory system 
• Memory

With your family, create a bedtime routine and a time to go to bed. You can also find creative ways to put the children to sleep by reading bedtime stories, putting away electronics, and doing breathing exercises. Bedtime may vary, but getting enough sleep is vital for improving your quality of life.

Set Time Limits on Technology 

With technology usage on the rise and the average person spending around six hours on a screen, it's important to set time limits. As the parent, you will need to limit technology during mealtimes, family time or specific times before bed. You can even consider doing a digital detox, read our article here. 

Teach your children to have boundaries with technology and show them that time away from distractions like social media is a self-care practice. They will learn to appreciate mental clarity and people and places around them. 

Spend Quality Time Together

Spending quality time with your family is another important aspect of self-care. Although everyone's schedules may be busy, find time to do something you can bond over. Not only will you build long lasting relationships, but you will also teach your children the importance of maintaining a healthy relationship.  

Here are some ideas you can do:  

• Go to lunch together
• Plan a small getaway 
• Cook a meal 
• Watch a movie 
• Play a boardgame 

Allow your children to also make suggestions. Quality time is simple, just dedicate a specific time in your calendar.

Check-in with Your Mental Health 

The topic of mental health is one that is growing in popularity. Self-care also means checking in on your own and your family’s mental health. The key is to ask questions. Be open with your family and discuss all matters together so that you can best support one another. 

Vocalizing feelings may be difficult at first, but with practice, it gets easier. Share a safe space with your family and discuss emotions and the role they play in our minds. Talk to them about taking personal time and things they can do to improve their mental health. In addition, allow them to express themselves to you.

Self-Reflect 

Lastly, to practice self-care, you should self-reflect. Reflecting on past experiences makes you aware of the things you do well and things you can change.

For your children, this can look like asking them questions about situations and how they resolved it. Whether it was a wise way to handle it or not. You can also take a moment before bed with your children to journal or talk about situations that you can reflect on. 

Reflection can reveal the proudest moments and also the moments where improvement is necessary, but it can also encourage your children that in life there is always more to learn. For more read our blog Family Healthy Habits