family enjoying a healthy meal at home

Creating a Loving Texan Family: How to Build a Healthy Family Lifestyle

All families, regardless of their size, dream about being close-knit and having best friends in each of their family members.

However, creating a loving family starts with building a healthy family lifestyle, which is something most people neglect.

Rather than ignoring this important step which creates the building blocks to a stronger family, use the tips outlined below to make your family stronger than ever before. 

What Does a Healthy Lifestyle Actually Mean?

First and foremost, it’s impossible to create a healthy family lifestyle without actually developing an understanding of what that means. In truth, a healthy lifestyle will not look the same for two people.

For example, one person may be satisfied and happy working extremely long hours whereas another person may wish to never see the inside of an office and is self-employed.

Neither individual is wrong as they are doing what makes them happy, which is the foundation of a lifestyle.

In short, a healthy lifestyle simply means being well. To that end, activities that tend to make up a healthy lifestyle include eating right, getting adequate exercise, practicing mindfulness exercises, taking up an enjoyable hobby, and much more.  

father and son playing guitar together while mom and second son set kitchen table in background

Why is a Healthy Family Lifestyle Important? 

Naturally, you may be wondering why developing a healthy lifestyle has anything to do with strengthening the bonds of family members. When people grow and become happier together, it helps them to bond.

By cultivating a healthy family lifestyle, you will help to bolster your own life, along with the lives of your family members. In turn, this will create a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment that brings everyone in your family together.  

7 Important Tips for Developing a Healthy Family Lifestyle

With the ‘what’ and ‘why’ of a healthy family lifestyle covered, the only item remaining is looking at how a person actually can develop this lifestyle.

Below are seven of the best tips to consider as you and your family start your process of growth: 

  1. Create healthy eating habits with your family members

Eating healthy doesn’t mean you need to cut out every food that you love but remember that you are setting an example for your kids.

Naturally, if you refuse to eat greens, your children will be less willing to try them. Focus on discussing the importance of nutrition with your children, and even pretend to enjoy eating your greens if you have to.

They are important for developing the body and mind, regardless of age. On top of this, avoid stopping at the drive-thru just because it’s more convenient than cooking. 

  1. Place an emphasis on the importance of a good night’s sleep

Sleep is perhaps one of the most overlooked aspects of health, both physical and mental.

Set a bedtime in your household that becomes a habit so that everyone in your family’s circadian rhythm adapts to the weekly sleep schedule, which will help to tire your kids out naturally.

If you’re unsure how much sleep you should be getting, the common breakdown is that children should receive 9-13 hours, teens should receive 8-10 hours, and adults should receive 7 hours or more per night. 

  1. Teach your kids the importance of responsibility

All children need to learn the importance of responsibility at some point in their lives if they hope to become independent. To that end, your job as a parent is to teach them how to be responsible.

For example, as your children grow their first real taste of responsibility will likely be getting a driver’s license.

It’s your job to teach your child how to drive as safely as possible but to also inform them that intersection crashes can happen for a variety of reasons, which means your child also needs to know how to respond to an accident. 

  1. Always make bonding time necessary

A family that never hangs out together will naturally have less of a bond than a family that hands out consistently. This doesn’t mean just sitting around on the couch every evening.

Go out and about with your family, whether it be a shopping trip or even just grabbing a meal. The only important thing is ensuring that every single member of your family is present and engaged. 

Spending quality time together strengthens family relationships, but shared experiences are also a great way to make lasting memories.

Consider planning trips or activities everyone can enjoy, such as hiking, camping, or even taking advantage of exclusive vacation packages, which can offer unique and exciting opportunities for family bonding and setting boundaries around technology usage to promote a balanced and fulfilling life.

  1. Cut back on the screen time you and your kids have

Technology is truly a double-edged sword. Perhaps its biggest drawback has been the increased reliance we all have on the devices in our pockets.

When spending time with your family, as well as in general, stress the importance of not using smartphones or computers so that everybody is present mentally.  

  1. Stay active and in shape by making exercise a family affair

Exercise can often be dull and motivating yourself to get outside can be difficult. Rather than taking on this burden alone, consider engaging your family to join you for some extra motivation and bonding time.

Whether it be going on a run or playing sports together, turning exercise into bonding can be a great way to deepen your familial relationships. 

  1. Talk about your feelings with one another

Finally, it’s crucial that all families discuss their feelings with one another on a consistent basis. Even if there has not been an argument in the family in recent history, it’s still an excellent idea to discuss everything that is going on.

By shutting off the ability to talk about emotions and feelings with your family members, you are neglecting an important aspect of mental health.

Let your children know that they can always talk to you about anything without fear of reprisal. 

The Bottom Line

No two families will be the same and everyone has different expectations when it comes to their familial relationships.

However, if you have found yourself wishing to have a better relationship with the members of your family, whether that be a child, parent, sibling, or extended family member, the above tips can help.

Take action and create the family you have always wanted to have.