Key health habits for families all year: Ideas for January

If your family's goal this year is to make new healthy habits, try the 5-2-1-0 approach, which stands for the daily goals of:

• 5 veggies and fruits
• 2 hours or fewer of screen time
• 1 hour of exercise
• 0 sugary drinks

Anyone of any age can follow this guide for daily choices but it's more fun to do it together. What's more, you can find your own ways of putting 5-2-1-0 into action.  

Here's how 5-2-1-0 might apply in January:

• Make a pot of soup. 

  Try a new recipe that includes 5 vegetables for the day. If you don’t have fresh, frozen can be just as healthy. Canned will work but check the label for excess salt or sugar. If the recipe makes more than you need, freeze the extra to save for later.

• Walk in the rain.

  A cool umbrella or colorful pair of boots can make this activity more inviting. It's a good way to take a break from screens. Kids over the age of 6 should limit screentime to less than 2 hours and less than that for those younger.  

• Do an indoor chore.

  Getting an hour of exercise can be done inside or out. If it's too windy or wet, maybe make a game of cleaning out a closet or a dresser drawer. As you work, ask questions or talk about what’s on your mind.

• Sip a cup of warm tea. 

  Opt for zero-sugar drinks to stay within recommended sugar limits. Herbal teas come in a variety of appealing flavors.  

These steps might seem small but over time, they can help your family build lifelong health habits.

Staying healthy isn’t always easy. When you or your family are under the weather, PeaceHealth is here for you — ready to help you get back to feeling better.