13 Tips To Increase Your Family’s Happiness And Health

13 Tips to Increase Your Family’s Happiness and Health
Happy families share certain basic characteristics. Here are a few of the foundations experts say are key to creating a loving, cheerful home.Tolstoy was right—happy families are all alike. At least they share certain basic characteristics. Here are a few of the foundations experts say are key to a loving, cheerful home:
1. Create cuddletime. You can’t overdose on hugs. It’s important for families to spend time snuggling in bed together, reading, or talking or playing games. This kind of positive touch helps kids feel loved andsecure, plus it’s fun for parents!
2. Sing together, stay together. The Von Trapp family had it right—singing together is a terrific way to bond as a family. Make up your own words to your favorite tunes;dance around the living room with your children; and use music to motivate room cleaning.
3. Make room for fun. While it’s good to encourage your children’s schoolwork and extracurricularactivities, too much emphasis on them can create tension and anxiety. Make time for activities that have no purpose other than to allow family members to enjoy spending time together. Play games, plot surpriseparties, take long walks, explore a cave, plant a garden, or cook.
4. Exercise together. Take a run or a bike ride to a local park with your child. At the park, you can take time to relax while yourchild plays in the sandbox or on the seesaw. This kind of outing allows parents to model healthy behavior, get exercise, and spend time with their kids.
5. Create healthy habits. Junk food high insalt and sugar may taste appealing, but it will play havoc with your family’s health and moods. Create healthy snacking habits by leaving out bowls of fruit, cut-up vegetables, nuts, or dried fruit.
6.Cook together. This is another way to get kids interested in healthy foods. While you’re whipping up dinner with your children you are encouraging healthy eating habits as well as teaching cooking,...