Popular media conjures up wellness images of sunrise yoga on the beach, a green smoothie and meditation- all before the school run!
Not only is this kind of routine not possible for most of us, but the expectation that this is the only way to achieve wellness can be damaging, stopping most people from even trying.
So, green smoothies and sunrise yoga aside, what does wellness actually mean for you and your family?
The Global Wellness Institute defines wellness as the active pursuit of activities, choices and lifestyles that lead to a state of holistic health and covers six areas:
• Physical: Eating well, getting enough sleep.
• Mental: Problem solving, learning and creativity.
• Emotional: Expressing feelings and understanding others.
• Spiritual: Searching for meaning and purpose.
• Environmental: Caring for the world we live in.
• Social: Engaging with others in meaningful ways.
Wellness is for everybody, and while this post is about fitting more wellness into your child’s day, many of these tips will be beneficial for adults too.
If you’re not sure where to begin, here are 7 simple ways to get started.
Eat breakfast
Before we start our day, we need to fuel our bodies. Getting kids ready for school and out the door on time can be a huge challenge, so having something simple but nourishing like cereal and fruit within easy reach is a great start.
This isn’t just important for kids- make sure you have something to eat too!
Get moving
We all know exercise keeps our bodies and minds healthy. One simple way to get kids moving more is by walking to school. Not only does this teach them safe walking practices and street smarts, but it’s also a great way for kids to burn off a bit of excess energy before school so they can focus better in class.
Get grounded
In times of stress or anxiety, grounding exercises help to refocus the mind, and they’re super easy to do!
If your child is upset or overwhelmed, encourage them to try the 5,4,3,2,1 method:
5 things you can see.
4 things you can feel.
3 things you can hear.
2 things you can smell.
1 thing you can taste.
This activity brings kids out of their worries and into the present moment, helping them continue on with their day with a little more clarity.
Sleep routine
Making sure kids get enough sleep is crucial for their health, wellbeing and development, assisting with cognitive development, memory and learning.
A warm bath or shower, a glass of milk, brushing their teeth, turning off screens and reading a bedtime story are all things you can pop into their bedtime routine to help ease kids into a restful sleep.
Screen free time
Screens can be a lot of fun but having some time away from them is beneficial too.
Time dedicated to activities other than screens lets kids explore other interests and tap into the more creative side of their brains.
Reading a book, drawing, doing puzzles, playing a board game and writing stories and poems let kids to have some fun away from screens.
Gratitude
Expressing gratitude helps kids develop empathy, improve self-esteem and have a greater appreciation for the people and world around them.
One way to do this is for everyone to say one thing they’re grateful for at the start or end of each day or writing then down in a gratitude journal.
Whether they’re grateful for a beautiful sunny day or that they got a chance to play a game with a friend, there’s always something to be grateful for, no matter how small.
Do something creative
Creativity is an essential part of a child’s development. Not only does it let them explore their imagination, playing with clay or Lego can also help develop fine motor skills.
Whether your child likes to draw, write or build things, dabbling in creative pursuits is also a fun way to wind down after a busy or stressful day.
Wellness is for everyone, and how you engage in it will be different from one family to the next.
We hope this list gives you some ideas on how to bring a little more wellness to you and your child’s day.
The wellness features are currently available on Spacetalk devices purchased through the Spacetalk online store and approved retail partners only. Spacetalk is a consumer grade general wellness device, not a certified medical device. Spacetalk wellness features are not intended for medical diagnostics. The information provided in this website or the Spacetalk mobile application is not a substitute for obtaining proper professional care or services. You should seek independent advice from a medical professional as required.