11 Ways To Help Keep Your Family Happy And Relaxed
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Stick To A Routine
Routines are important in all walks of life. A well-structured routine provides stability, purpose, and a sense of direction for the whole family. Clear daily schedules keep everyone focused, reduce stress, and bring a sense of normalcy.
Setting regular meal times, play breaks, and wind-down moments fosters consistency and keeps things running smoothly. Personalized routines ensure that everyone knows what to do and when, making the day feel more manageable and productive.
A well-planned schedule allows time for relaxation, creativity, and connection, helping each day feel balanced and fulfilling.
Limit Your Screen Time
While social media is a wonderful resource, especially to keep in contact with friends and family, sometimes too much screen time can lead to information overloads or even excessive boredom.
You mustn't become too reliant on your screens and explore some areas outside of the internet. How about implementing a reading hour into the household or even just some quiet time that requires the whole family to sit together but be immersed in their own activity?
This way everyone gets to enjoy their own thing at the same time, and you get to be together with low volumes and a calming atmosphere.
If this appeals, then maybe some chill arts and crafts with a small amount of background music will keep the screens away and bring the family together.
There are lots of ways to have fun altogether that don't involve too much planning or kerfuffle. Another good alternative to watching TV is listening to podcasts.
There are so many amazing resources for kids, teens, and parents for engaging and enjoyable podcasts that you could listen to as a family.
Mindful News Consumption for a Balanced Day
Constant exposure to news can feel overwhelming, especially when headlines focus on negative stories. While staying informed is important, too much information at once can create stress.
Setting a daily limit for news updates helps maintain a healthy balance. Choosing reliable and age-appropriate news sources also ensures that children stay informed in a way that makes sense to them.
Why not turn news time into a family activity? Discussing events together encourages curiosity, builds understanding, and makes learning about the world an engaging experience!
Keep A Journal Or A Diary
A journal is the perfect stress-reliever. You can put all your thoughts and feelings down on a page and a weight will be lifted off your shoulders.
While this doesn't always work for everyone it has been proven that keeping a diary or a journal helps you to control your emotions and can improve your mental health. This is another thing that you can turn into a family activity.
Schedule yourself some diary writing time at the end of the day for the whole family to process their thoughts, feelings and emotions. If your little ones are confident with writing yet or find it more stressful than enjoyable, why not propose a picture journal.
There is nothing that you can express in words that can't be drawn. You can even find templates for diary entries online that allow your kids to fill in so they have some prompts.
Try Some Meditation
Meditation is a really good way to relieve anxiety and it is effective for all ages. It is easy to do at home and it can help to improve mental health.
Youtube is an amazing resource for free meditation videos that can work for you and the whole family - it may just take you a little while to find the right one.
The same way that stress and anxiety are personal to every person, so are the methods to alleviate them so don't be disheartened if meditation doesn't work for you, it's not for everyone.
Having said that, everything is worth a try and sometimes trying a few different videos may just be exactly what you need. Get the whole family together for some self-care meditation that you can do all together.
Hit The Mats With Some Family Yoga
Yoga is not only a fun form of exercise but also a great way to improve your mental health. Yoga often focuses on finding your centre of balance and focussing on your breathing techniques.
You can find easy family yoga exercises that you can do at home that will not only ease your mind but will keep you active. Despite common misconceptions, you don't have to be unbelievably flexible to do it; everyone has to start somewhere so why not start today?
Get The Family Outside
Spending time outside is a great way to stay active, boost energy, and enjoy fresh air. Whether it’s a simple walk, a bike ride, or a fun outdoor game, movement benefits both the body and mind.
Sunlight provides essential vitamin D, while outdoor activities help reduce stress and keep everyone feeling refreshed. Try mixing things up with nature scavenger hunts, chalk obstacle courses, or backyard games to make outdoor time exciting.
A little creativity turns any outdoor moment into a fun adventure, keeping the whole family happy, healthy, and engaged!
Prioritise Family Meals
Family time plays a big role in creating strong connections, and mealtime is the perfect opportunity to bring everyone together. Sitting down for meals without screens encourages meaningful conversations and strengthens relationships.
Making mealtimes special keeps face-to-face communication a priority, balancing everyday distractions. Creating a routine where everyone shares their thoughts, stories, and laughter helps build lasting family bonds.
Why not involve the whole family in the cooking process? Preparing meals together adds excitement, teaches valuable skills, and turns family time into a fun and rewarding experience!
No Socks Time
We know it may sound bizarre but there is something really important about being connected to your own body. Taking your socks off is a really easy and effective way to do this.
Have an hour a day where the whole family abandons their socks and ventures around the house (and maybe even in the garden) and takes in all the textures of the world around them.
Feel the cold wood floors, the fluffy carpets or the soft fresh grass around your feet and in between your toes. You will be surprised how much better it could make you feel!
Make Your Weekends Feel Special
Weekends bring the perfect chance to relax, recharge, and enjoy time with loved ones. Creating a break from the usual routine helps make them feel different from the rest of the week.
Trying a fun activity, baking a favorite treat, or setting aside time for meaningful conversations adds a special touch. Whether it’s a movie night, a creative project, or a virtual catch-up with family and friends, making weekends feel exciting brings joy and balance to every week!
Find Your Support
Everything feels easier with the right support system. Surrounding yourself with people who uplift and encourage you makes a big difference.
Social media and online communities offer great ways to stay in touch, share ideas, and find inspiration. Scheduling time to call friends, message family, or explore new parenting and lifestyle groups helps build a strong network of support.
Whether it’s a parenting forum, a fitness group, or a creative community, the perfect space to connect and exchange ideas is just a click away. Take a moment to find your people—support, advice, and friendship are always within reach!
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A London native with a passion for theater and music, Josie loves nothing more than getting lost in the vibrant world of the West End. With her family by her side, she can be found dancing to her favorite musicals and discovering new hidden gems across the city. Her older sister is a great resource for vegan dining recommendations, and Josie is always excited to explore new culinary adventures. When not in a theater seat or sampling new cuisine, she loves to visit the Victoria Palace Theatre and take in the sights and sounds of Borough Market.
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