5 Daily Habits for Every Healthy Family #4

Everyone wants their family to be healthy.  Often that means making lifestyle changes and forming habits that promote overall health. Once you’ve decided to commit to a change, where do you start? The good news is that there are a handful of healthy habits that any family can adapt and grow with.

Here is Daily Habit  #4: Show Appreciation

Forming a habit of appreciating your family will reap more rewards than could ever be counted in a lifetime. There are many people, myself included, that are constantly striving for self-improvement on a daily basis. This drive is often a wonderful too; however, many times I catch myself critiquing (even just in my head) how a situation or a person could have operated differently or more efficiently. 

Now, there is nothing wrong with striving for future improvement. But if you never stop to show your appreciation for the people in your life, especially your family, you will breed feelings of resentment and even depression.

Showing appreciation for family members may involve a hand written note, a bouquet of flowers, a long embrace, engaging in an activity that you know they love (even if it may not be your cup of tea), or even actively listening with your undivided attention (see #2 regarding technology). 

Once you decide to show appreciation for your family, they will show more reciprocated appreciation for you. Your household environment can transform from toxic and hostel to loving and gracious before your eyes.

Choosing to have a healthy family is a great resolution. Making small changes into healthy habits is the best way to see lasting improvement in your family’s overall health. Check back later this week for Healthy Habit #5!    

Dr. Dan Turo is the owner and chiropractor of Turo Family Chiropractic located in the North Hills of Pittsburgh, PA. Follow him on facebook and twitter.