by Sara Bybee, LCSW
Center for Safe & Healthy Families
With Valentine’s Day around the corner, you’ve probably been helping your kids cut out heart-shaped valentines or decorate heart-shaped cookies for school. No doubt you’ll even be seeing heart shapes in your dreams by the time Valentine’s rolls around! But how can you make sure that your kids actually care for their hearts? Below are some ways you and your children can make small changes in everyday routines to foster a healthy heart, both physically and emotionally.
1. Encourage healthy eating
- Model healthy eating, maintaining an appropriate weight and portion control. Kids learn from watching their parents so it’s important to practice what you preach.
- Offer praise when kids reach for healthier, less sugary snacks and when they make healthy choices.
2. Encourage daily activity, even if it is small such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator
- Take walks together as a family or suggest another physical activity instead of watching TV. Physical activity is not only good for the physical health of your heart, but can also release dopamine which causes us to feel happier. In addition, doing physical activity as a family stresses the importance of exercise and also encourages more emotional bonding.
- Encourage and support your child’s interest in sports and other physical activities such as dancing, karate, skating, etc. Kids will be more apt to stick with an activity if they enjoy it, so be sure to praise their interests and encourage them to practice!
3. Discourage the use of nicotine and tobacco products
- If you use these substances as a parent, now’s the time to quit! Kids learn by watching their parents model behavior so try to show them the choices you’d like them to make in the future.
4. Encourage emotional well-being
- Show empathy to your children to model sensitivity, good listening, etc.
- Be sure to talk to your children about feelings and work through difficult emotions they may feel such as rejection or grief.
- Let your children know that it’s healthy and normal to experience a range of emotions and praise them for sharing their feelings.
- Encourage your children to reach out to friends or family in need to offer their support.
- Consider volunteering as a family for a cause you feel connected to; this will help your child learn the value of kindness and generosity.
Change doesn’t have to be drastic; by including some small changes in your child’s daily routines, you can help encourage him/her to maintain heart healthy habits for life!
