Children’s health: Don’t let holiday stress get to your kids this season
The holidays are often a time of celebration, family and fun, but they also can be a period of extreme stress for you and your youngsters. Getting your kids to unwind during their holiday break may appear a bit daunting. And, for many, while this is a time to relax, it is also difficult to make the holiday season completely conflict-free.
If you’re looking to ensure you and your kids take advantage of winter season relaxation, we’ve got a couple of tips to make this a time of health and healing.
One regular issue for families is food. While food in and of itself is benign, attitudes about weight, diet and beauty standards can make eating around the holiday season particularly difficult. When it comes to raising children, many parents want to set a good example around cultivating a positive body image and eating well while also avoiding the unhealthy eating habits they were exposed to growing up.
It can be helpful to have a conversation with your children about food during the holidays. Between the parties and family gatherings, children often have a lot of access to foods they don’t normally eat; many of which are sweet, sugary and in large excess.
Make a point to speak with your children about how different types of food function within a well-balanced diet. Explain that some foods, such as vegetables and proteins, help make us strong, while fruits and carbs give us energy and fats help us feel full.
Sugary sweets are fun foods — they don’t necessarily add nutritional value, but they do make you feel good and taste yummy. Talking about food as a function instead of labeling it as “healthy” and “unhealthy” can be a helpful way to eliminate an “all or nothing” mindset, allowing for sweet treats while not going overboard.
Outside of food, try to keep yourself and your family active and social during this period, even when it’s hard. Over the winter solstice, the days are at their shortest, so your children’s bodies may be craving some sun-fueled vitamin D. Make sure they’re making the most of the sunlit hours they can, stepping away from indoor activities and distractions.
Most kids tend to be less physically active in the winter, but may be encouraged to get out if an activity involves friends. So, if schedules align, plan that play date and find ways to incorporate movement such as outdoor activities, weather and snow permitting, to help release endorphins and keep your whole family smiling.
Protecting your children from the negative aspects of winter weather and the holiday season can feel impossible. However, promoting a healthy mindset and modeling healthy behaviors and communication are lifelong skills you can teach your children that they can carry with them throughout their lives — both during the holidays and beyond.
• Children's health is a continuing series. This column was provided by Ascension Illinois.