Help your children reach their full potential

Thursday, 28 July 2016

Author - Good Health

Trying to keep your kids healthy when they’re under your roof is hard enough, let alone sending them off into the world to look after themselves. Rest assured they’ll still have cereal for breakfast. And maybe for lunch and dinner as well. While we can’t promise to change this, we do have four golden rules that’ll help teach them some good habits now and give them the skills they need to stay healthy later.

1. Exercise:

Regular exercise is good for you and your children. Getting them involved in team sports will help them to develop physical skills, make friends, have fun, learn to play as a member of a team, learn to play fair, improve self-esteem, and get the blood pumping. It may also spark a life long passion.

If that’s not your thing, go for bike rides together on the weekend, or plan a different walk through one of New Zealand’s many beautiful walking tracks.

2. Good Nutrition:

Help your children reach their full potential

Research has shown that the first years of a child’s life may be the optimal time to promote the development of healthy eating. Getting them to help you in the kitchen from a young age will teach them the fundamentals of healthy eating, as well as give them a few skills they can use later in life. It’s easy to make cooking fun. You could plan different themes that you both create together, or give them a night of the week where they’re responsible for dinner or even make their own breakfast. Suitable for all ages, try this amazing and easy super food recipe for Homemade Berry & Chia Jam, plus consider introducing some of the following into your family’s daily routine.

This is what we consider to be our top family picks to maintain good health:

i. Help keep your kids focused and performing at their best at school and play with Chia Seeds. They’ve exploded with popularity, which is no surprise as they’re loaded with nutrients that are important for your brain and body, and have been proven to provide long lasting stamina and energy.

ii. Unless you’re serving up three or more servings a week of fatty fish, your kids may need more Omega-3. These fatty acids are a key ingredient in the building blocks of life. They’re essential for brain and eye development and support learning and healthy behaviour in children. Seafood offers the highest levels of Omega-3, but if the kids aren’t big fans of fish there’s always Omega 3 Bursts, which are specifically designed for children.

iii. Build your child’s immune defence system with Viralex Chews. These are delicious tropical tasting chewable tablets, which are designed to support their immunity.

iv. Although the body makes its own Vitamin D from the sun, most kids (and adults) aren’t getting enough. It’s important for the growth and development of bones and teeth. It’s found naturally in fish, eggs and cod-liver oil or easily taken in tablet form.

v. Keep their bones strong and heart rhythm healthy with Magnesium. Don’t let their bodies go without it. As well as supporting the immune system and helping maintain muscle and nerve function, it can also improve their sleep, mood and regularity.

3. Encourage Self Expression:

It’s important to create an environment where your kids feel comfortable to express themselves. It will help them reach their potential and be happier as they grow up. Show them that being ‘just me’ is what life is all about. Share and talk about how you love your child – all the way to the moon and back again!

Nurture confidence and self-esteem, especially during their high school years, as they are extremely delicate trying to figure out their place in the world. Have open conversations with them, sharing your feelings and encourage that they share theirs. Make sure that you listen to what they’re saying. This will help create a bond that’ll last a lifetime. Provide them with a safe environment.

School will begin to feel like a battleground that they’re fighting daily, home should be their sanctuary. Let them know that you’re there for them, even if they don’t always make the best decision. They should always feel safe to come to you first with whatever problem, it’ll be easier for both of you to solve them.

4. Have fun with family and friends:

Simply put, enjoy their childhood and make it full of good times and laughter. These will be the special moments that you will reflect on later in life and good memories no doubt make you smile.

Helping your child take on the world is never going to be an easy feat but if you start teaching them the basics now, it might make it a little less daunting. It’s not complicated, just remember these four simple tips:
1. Exercise
2. Good nutrition
3. Encourage self-expression
4. Have fun with family and friends

Setting them up with good habits and skills will go a long way in relieving stress as they figure out where they want to go in life. And with whatever it is they do choose, just make sure they know that you’ll always be their number one fan and that home will always be their home.