The New Year is a time for new beginnings and to set goals that strengthen one's spirit, mind and body. When making New Year's Resolutions, the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA reminds families that building and maintaining family connectedness is one of the most important resolutions.
At
the Y, we are committed to strengthening individuals and families to
build stronger communities. When making resolutions, we
encourage people to begin with
small changes that are easy to sustain and that lead to big benefits
over time. Also, set goals as a family to learn and thrive together.
The
Central Connecticut Coast YMCA offers a variety of programs that
support family time.
There are simple things families can do at
home to improve their family’s
health and well-being. Following are five New Year’s Resolutions the Y
recommends for 2013:
1.
Eat Together:
Sitting down together for a meal is a great way for parents and
children to share stories, or talk about the school day or their
favorite part of
the day. Set aside time for the family to eat breakfast, lunch or
dinner at least once a week or every day if scheduling permits.
2.
Volunteer Together:
Giving back and supporting neighbors benefits everyone involved. It
teaches children and teens the value of helping others and is also a way
to meet new people or discover a new interest. Find an opportunity in
your community that the entire family may enjoy, such as cleaning your
neighborhood park or distributing food at a local food bank.
3.
Unplug from Technology:
Limit screen time (television, video
games, computer, etc.) and instead set aside an hour or two for
activities that allow interaction and camaraderie. If weather permits,
go for a walk, bike ride, trip to the park, or have
a game night at home. If you do want to watch television, maybe have a
movie night with the family.
4. Be Physically Active:
It’s important for children to get at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day (30 minutes for adults).
Incorporate physical activity into
your daily routines and spend more time walking to places instead of
driving to improve your health and well-being.
5. Put Extras to Good Use:
Do you have extra canned goods
or clothes that could benefit others in need? Clean out your pantry,
closet or attic and donate extra items to homeless shelters or community
outreach programs. You can also get the entire
family involved and demonstrate to the children the value of giving.
For
additional tips or to learn about the Central Connecticut Coast
YMCA family time programs, call 203-777-9622 or visit cccymca.org.
