- Sleep: Children need a minimum of 10-12 hours of sleep a night, and teenagers nine. Sleep is one of the building blocks for stability, mental health and wellbeing.
- Talk: Encourage your children to talk about their problems and feelings and know there is an open-door policy between kids and parents.
- Physical health: An hour a day of exercise is the minimum requirement for children and there is a reason. It stimulates chemicals that improve mood and release stress. Ensuring your child has a well-balanced diet is just as important as they need nutrients to function properly.
- Help others: Show them from early on the benefits of sharing, volunteering and the good feelings that come from helping others. It reinforces a sense of community and connectivity as well as provides opportunities for positive reinforcement.
- Relaxation: Make sure your child gets some chill-out time. This could be a hobby they love to do, vegging out with the family or something that relaxes them and allows them to live in the moment and switch-off.
Sources - ods.od.nih.gov, webmd.com, nutritionfacts.org, medlineplus.gov, cdc.gov
