IS YOUR FAMILY HEALTHY – MIND, BODY AND SOUL?
If your family is not perfect you’ve come to the right place. The truth of the matter is that none of us have perfect families. We all struggle with communicating with our teens and spouses. We all will have to deal with trauma in some form or another – someone will die, or we will have a crisis in faith. Life is full of ups, downs, and storms we didn’t know were coming. How we show up to the twists, turns, and even tornadoes of life will greatly determine our physical, mental, and spiritual health.
At Anthem Strong Families we focus a lot on the health of the family and how men and women can change the trajectory of destructive relationships. Here are six tips to ensure that you are engaging in life with enthusiasm and providing an environment for your family that brings joy.
- Be Intentional With Your Time. Invest in spending time with your family and guard that time jealously. Whether it’s family night or taking a walk – schedule it and make sure that nothing interferes with that time together.
- Have Family Meetings. Every person comes to the world with their own fingerprint. We are different people – and children are too. Providing a forum where all members can be heard without reprisal is an excellent tool for connecting.
- Volunteer Together. Volunteering takes the focus from your family’s issues and provides an opportunity to connect with the community and see how others are faring. A shelter, Habitat for Humanity, and food banks are all good places for kids to see gratitude in action and experience the power of helping others.
- Practice the Art of Forgiveness. We all make mistakes… big ones and especially in families. Learn to let go of resentment and anger. Provide a path for family members to seek peace.
- Reduce Stress. Stress can interfere with your physical functioning and bodily processes. Seek ways to reduce your stress and anxiety levels and those of your family members.
- Practice Self Care. Whether it’s a brisk walk, reading a book, taking a drive, or prayer and meditation, the adage that you can’t take care of others if you’re not taking care of yourself is true. Be kind and gentle with yourself so you can show up emotionally healthy to your family.