Parents are typically more focused on improving their physical health, believing that this is the only important thing to keep their families intact. But is it? Definitely not. Mental wellness is often left out because its impact or elements associated with it are not literally visible. When in fact, our mental health affects how we act, feel, and think. That is why paying attention to your family’s mental health is important.
Are you and your spouse able to cope up with the daily stresses of life? Do you manage to maintain a work and family life balance? Are your kids physically and mentally active? If ‘no’ is your answer for all three, then you might not be giving the required time and effort to support your family’s mental wellness. Let’s help you change that. The tips below can help you get started.
1. Encourage helpful routine
Creating routines is known for being beneficial in boosting mental wellness. For a family, you will need to make such that everything included in your family routine benefits every member. Come up with a specific routine based on your family, lifestyle, and schedule.
Determining your wellness goal could help you in planning. Are you learning to have a healthier work and life balance? Are you trying to find ways to better take care of kids of different ages? Do you want to increase your bonding time and strengthen your connection more? It’ll be best if you could also include your kids in the routine planning. Take the age-appropriate decisions and have your children handle the small, manageable ones.
2. Create a safe home
Creating a safe and healthy home environment for the kids should be a priority of any parent. They need to feel stable and secure. A home where they could be physically and emotionally secure. In terms of physical safety, eliminate household, inside and outside, dangers. These include sharp objects, toxic substances, and electrical outlets and cords. Regularly check your smoke detector inside the house and prepare your kids for emergencies.
Be sure to properly maintain your outdoor area where kids typically play. If the paving in your lot or garage is cracked or damaged, have it fixed by a pavement or parking lot crack sealing company to prevent any accidents. After all that, it’s also imperative you ensure your home is a supportive and open emotional environment. Avoid yelling at them and calmly communicate. Let them be kids and give them enough playtime to boost good social and motor skills.
3. Prioritize bedtime
We live in a world where both kids and adults often sacrifice having a good amount of sleep for screen time. For this tip, setting and prioritizing a bedtime routine applies to both you and your kids. Don’t neglect your need for sleep. You need it to support and better manage your family’s needs. According to healthcare professionals, lack of sleep results in mood changes and increases our stress and everyone in your household for that matter.
Set simple rules for bedtime routine like not using your devices 30 minutes before going to sleep. Or, limit your exposure to blue light emitted by the screens. You can buy smart bulbs for your bedroom or wear blue-light-blocking glasses during nighttime. Blue light, basically, signals your brain that it’s time to stay awake.
4. Manage stress in a healthy way
Protecting your kid from certain traumas such as bullying and abuse is something you can easily do. However, preventing them from experience stress is a harder job. While you can totally shield them from stress, you can teach them about to deal with it in a healthy manner. Spend time with your child and talk about their day. Ask them if something is troubling them.
Take note though that parents should follow their kid’s lean on how much they want to communicate. Forcing them to speak up can just increase anxiety and stress. You can also teach them several stress-relief activities such as calling a friend, writing, drawing, or listening to music.
Building healthy habits is a huge help for managing stress for your entire family, too. Keep your bodies and minds in great shape by eating healthy meals and staying active. Incorporating mindfulness activities is also a great step towards good family mental health.
Working towards mental wellness cannot only improve the relationship within your family. But it can also help each one of you, especially your kids, to practice proper self-awareness, control their emotions and thoughts, and enjoy life. Make that fulfilling life possible for your family by following these tips.
