5 Easy Ways to Achieve Whole-Family Health and Well-Being

October is Family Health Month, and the Dallas Y is dedicated to supporting all families as they work to create healthier lifestyles for themselves and all of their loved ones. Check out these five easy ways you can create a healthier household today!

Eat Healthy

As you gather for meals, be mindful of your nutritional choices. The Y encourages a well-balanced diet, and you can start with small, gradual changes! Check out this USDA healthy eating tip sheet, which is a great starting point for planning healthier meals for your family.

For personalized nutrition assistance, consider our Nutritional Coaching program. It is designed to help with goals like fat loss, athletic performance, muscle building, or healthy substitutions. Coaching includes information, educational resources, challenges, support, and follow-up care to help clients make and maintain dietary and behavioral changes.

Daily Play

Put down the electronics and find time to play! Children need varying levels of physical activity each day, depending on their age, so be sure to encourage playtime. And when in doubt, the Y is here to help – we offer a wide variety of youth sports, fitness programs, and more for the entire family. Visit ymcadallas.org/youthsports to learn more!

Together Time

Relationships are the heart of a healthy family. Prioritize quality time together – whether that’s catching up over dinner, playing a board game, or chatting about your day while out for a family stroll. These shared moments are what keep your relationship strong.

For things to do as a family at the Y, our FIT (Families Improving Together) FOR HEALTH program is for parents and children to learn about healthy lifestyles. Families engage in fun physical activities and learn about healthy habits, calorie goals, self-monitoring, and positive parenting tips. Through our partnership with Children's Health, we also offer Get Up and Go, a 10-week weight management program for children and their parents. This family-focused program gives families the tools they need to develop and maintain healthy habits. 

Get Outdoors

Great things happen in the great outdoors—make your time outside a family affair! Unplugging and enjoying nature is good for the body and mind. Make time for family park trips, go on hikes, or simply take your furry four-legged friend on a walk together.
 

For outdoor fun, our Adventure Guides program provides fathers and their children with the opportunity to spend valuable time together. As part of a larger group, father and child create unforgettable memories playing games, spending the weekend at an overnight camp, having family adventures, and much more.

Prioritize Sleep

After all of this physical activity and mental stimulation – remember to get some well-deserved rest! Getting a good night’s sleep is beneficial both physically and mentally. Make sure you and all the members of your family are getting the recommended amount of sleep each night.