Tips for Improving Family Mental
Health
Healthy Minds/Healthy Bodies 2010—BCHHC
Gage County PATCH
Creating a mentally-healthy environment for you and your family is
easy. Regardless of who or how many members make up your family, there are
endless ways to achieve mental wellness while relieving stress and
spending time with the people you love. Here’s a quick list of ideas. Feel
free to make your own – the key words are fun and easy!
- Eat dinner together – As so many
families know, finding time to sit down for a family meal can be a
challenge. But doing so once a week or even every other week is a prime
opportunity to talk, listen and enjoy a good meal together.
- Get some exercise – We all know
exercise can be hard work, but it can also be lots of fun for the family
and help you feel great. So get together with loved ones to shoot some
hoops, go swimming or play a favorite sport.
- Go to the zoo or a museum –
Choose a free day and take a trip to the local zoo or museum to learn
and explore. Afterwards, treat yourselves to lunch or a healthy snack.
- Take a Walk – Walking together
can be a simple and fun way to get your blood flowing while enjoying the
outdoors and the company of family members. Pick a scenic route and get
moving.
- Watch a movie – Pick up a good
family film, make some popcorn and stay inside for the night.
- Get enough rest – Mental and
physical health go hand in hand and you can only be at the top of your
game when you’ve gotten plenty of rest. Make sure you and your family
members get a full seven to eight hours of sleep each night.
- Pack a healthy lunch – Encourage
the healthy eating habits of your family by packing a healthy lunch.
Substitute chips and a soda with healthier snacks like carrots, raisins
and fresh juice or water.
- Read a book together – Reading a
good book can be one of the simple pleasures of life and a great way to
exercise your mind. Select something the whole family can enjoy and read
a portion of it aloud each night.
- Plan a picnic – Choose a sunny
day, pack a nice lunch and head to the park. Bring tennis rackets or a
soccer ball and challenge your family members to a game of one-on-one.
- Take a vacation – Getting away
from home and work for a couple days or more is always a treat. Plan a
fun an affordable getaway where you and your family can rest, relax and
escape your busy schedules.
Brought to you
by Beatrice Community Hospital Gage County PATCH
Sharon
Langvardt, MS, LCIMFT PATCH coordinator and Marriage and Family Therapist
223-3103
slangvardt@bchhc.org or
slangvardt@bvbh.net 228-3386
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