Take baby steps to wellness

Helping a child walk the path of a healthy and sound life is the first priority for any parent. Growing years are the crucial time for children to learn and acquire new habits. So, whatever you teach your child during this time is likely to stay with him or her forever. Therefore, it is important to teach them about good health and wellness to help them adapt to the perfect way of living.

Physical & mental wellness

Staying indoors does not make your kid any healthier or stronger. Watching TV or playing games can encourage mental stimulation, but it does not build physical stamina. Make sure they get involved in outdoor sports and activities. Better still, enrol your children in moderate physical activity every day. There are many options such as dancing, cycling, running, swimming etc.

Similarly, encourage your child's likes and talents. If he or she is a naturally talented singer or musician, hone that ability. This will create a sense of pride and achievement in both your child and you.

Healthy eating

Talking about staying physically fit, it is the prime responsibility of parents to ensure that the child does not overeat and binge on junk food. Many store-bought products come in attractive packaging and at throwaway prices. Don't give in to your child's temptation to buy packaged foods while grocery shopping. It will do more harm than good to your children.

Always find time to cook for your children. It is best to serve them home-cooked meals than feeding them ready-to-eat packaged snacks. Early nutrition is the best way to ensure that your child's health is safe and sound.

Kids who consume more fruits and vegetables develop a strong immune system including a healthy gut and appetite for good food.

A good role model

You, as parents, are the greatest role models for your children. Your child is likely to emulate you. Therefore, it is equally important for you to stay fit. In fact, healthy living is a practice that should involve the whole family so that the child adapts it to naturally and effortlessly. It is important for you to personally study your child's behavioural changes. Here are things to watch out for:

* Lack of sleep is one factor which should concern you as a parent. Sleep is important for hormonal balance. A sleep-deprived child will send you many signals about any emotional or physical distress. As a parent, you need to be able to observe the changes in your child's behaviour.

* Make sure your child spends less time on-screen at night. It is a clinically established fact that individuals who spend more time surfing the internet are more likely to develop sleeping disorders, as compared to any healthy person.

* Always find time to talk to your children to gauge their well-being. Depending on your child's personality type, he or she may or may not reveal too much. However, all children need a sense of emotional comfort and it can only come from parents. No matter how big your child's friend circle is, to cope with the normal pressures of life, children always look up to parents for support.

* Minor, everyday stresses can emotionally and physically affect your child's health. Regular school demands like study load, competitions, etc., can mentally and physically exhaust your child. You should be able to help him or her recover from fatigue. Enrol them in yoga or meditation classes to help their mind and body relax. The common meditation practice for children include classes for improving concentration, cultivating positive emotions, encouraging mindfulness, and more.

In short, it is important for parents to be involved in the child's life, closely, but from a safe distance so that your child acquires the right level of emotional and physical confidence for his/her own well-being.

(The author is wellness director at Atmantan)