HealthyLife Articles

Tag: bonding

The Family That Plays Together Stays Together

FAMILY LIFE

Playing games is an easy and fun way to experience quality interactions and build family connections. The more time you spend together, the stronger your bond will be. But, finding a game that everyone will enjoy can be a challenge. Here are eight games that are fun and accessible to a wide range of ages.

Charades

This classic game is super easy and sure to have everyone laughing. Even better, no one is too young or too old to play.

Pictionary

If you can hold a pencil, you can play pictionary. Whether your family and friends can decipher your drawing is another matter, but all part of the fun.

Minute to win it style games

The idea is to create a challenge and compete for one minute. For example, who can stack the most cups or keep the most balloons in the air? The options are endless.

Ninja course

Using your home or yard as an obstacle course creates many opportunities for play. Set up a ninja course appropriate for your group and compete in teams or race your personal best.

Dominos

You can play the traditional game or just imagine the amazing fun you could create working together with the whole family.

Dice games

Rolling dice is fairly simple for any age. Simple addition or pattern matching is possible for even young kids. Look for games such as Quix™, Farkle™, and Yahtzee™.

Jenga™

This game will test everyone’s dexterity. The simple rules mean young and old can get in the mix.

Card games

A standard deck of cards contains a wealth of all-ages gameplay. Try easy games like snap, pig, or crazy eights.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Flourish With Friends

Social Health

Having strong social support:

* Helps you cope with stress, grief, and trauma

* Gives you an emotional lift when you need it

* Makes it easier to cope with an illness

* Increases your chances for living longer

Today, call, text, email, or video chat with one or more friends. Let them know how much they mean to you.

* Be a good listener.

* Focus on dealing with each other’s challenges.

* Don’t judge.

* Don’t just complain about people and things in your life.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Family Matters 2

Social Health

Well-being relates to relatives.

Your family is where you learn who you are and how to relate to others. It plays a vital role in fulfilling the human need to belong and have close, long-term relationships. Whether you are a child, teen, or adult, family experiences can promote or hinder your well-being.

Tips to foster family well-being:

* Live a healthy lifestyle together.

– Plan for, shop, and eat healthy foods.

– Exercise as a family if you can. Or, promote physical activity suited for each family member.

– Get enough sleep.

* Plan to eat at least one meal a day together. Have each person talk about his or her day, such as stating the best part and worst part.

* Spend time together. Attend important events for each family member.

* Express care and concern. Be available to help each other out. Listen, listen, listen.

* Practice good manners. Say, “Thank you” and “You’re welcome.” Make it a practice to send thank you calls, notes, letters, or emails to others for gifts and other acts of kindness.

* Express affection. Say, “I love you,” “I care about you,” and “You mean a lot to me.”

* Discuss the value of the family as a whole. Encourage individual expression and development.

* Define clear, yet flexible roles for family members. Assign family chores.

* Keep the house as organized as possible.

* Discuss the need to adapt to changes and deal with stressful events.

* Seek professional help for problems the family cannot deal with on its own.

Factors that promote well-being:

* Being well cared for and feeling secure

* Receiving trust, love, support, and hugs

* Spending quality time together

* Listening well to each other

* Solving problems in a positive way

* Positive mood of family members

* Satisfaction with job and/or being a parent

* Being involved with partner and children

* Higher income and/or financial security

Action Step

This week, let at least two family members know how much you love them. Visit or call a relative who is alone or would be happy to hear from you.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Flourish With Friends 2

Social Health

Good friends are good for your health and well-being.

Do you want to live longer? Spend time with friends! Researchers looked at 148 studies that focused on social relationships and longevity. They concluded that people with stronger social relationships had a 50 percent increased chance of survival. This finding held across age, gender, initial health status, cause of death, and length of follow-up period. Specific studies have shown that:

* Women with breast cancer who took part in a support group lived twice as long and had less pain as women who did not.

* People with successful friendships are less likely to have depression and immune problems.

* People with the least variety of social relationships were 4.2 times more likely to catch a cold. This was true even though being around others exposes people to more viruses.

* Having social support increases self-esteem and helps people cope with stress, grief, trauma, and relationship problems.

Benefit from friendships.

* Give and get emotional support.

* Relax and have fun doing things you enjoy together.

* Encourage each other to follow healthy lifestyle habits, such as being physically active and quitting tobacco use.

* Look forward to celebrating good times.

* Be comfortable to express wants, needs, and opinions without being judged.

* Feel a sense of purpose.

* Give and receive unconditional acceptance.

Being a good friend takes work.

* Communication is a two-way street. Discuss what’s going on in your life. Listen to what’s going on with your friend.

* Expect and give respect. Keep your friend’s private issues private. Ask that he or she does the same.

* Focus on solving problems, not just complaining about them.

* Make time for each other no matter how busy you are.

* Offer help whether or not your friend asks you for it.

Action Step

Call, text, email, or write a note to a friend today. Let your friend know how much he or she means to you.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Bonding For A Beautiful Smile

Dental & Mouth Concerns

Bonding can correct certain dental problems effectively and inexpensively. By bonding plastic or porcelain to the tooth, a dentist can:

* Cover discoloration.

* Close small gaps between teeth.

* Repair fractured and chipped teeth.

* Protect exposed roots caused by receding gums.

* Seal out decay-causing bacteria on back teeth.

If you’ve had your teeth bonded, take these steps to prevent chips, stains, or other problems.

* Don’t chew ice or bite down on hard foods or candy.

* Avoid smoking, drinking coffee or tea, or eating blueberries or other foods that easily stain.

* Have the bonded teeth checked every three to five years. They may need to be touched up or done over.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Create Family Ties

FAMILY LIFE

Families who spend time together as a cohesive unit are more likely to survive a crisis, such as an illness or job loss than those with poor coping skills.

According to the CDC, good communication between parents and children is important for developing positive relationships.

* Teach active listening skills. Pay attention to what others say. Ask questions if you don’t understand what your spouse or children are trying to tell you.

* Hold regular family meetings to present complaints and set mutual goals and plans.

* Celebrate birthdays, holidays and other special occasions together.

* Learn the value of compromise.

* Be flexible. This is especially important if one parent returns to work or if one wage earner loses his or her job.

* Allow for individual strengths and interests. Don’t compare brothers and sisters. Allow family members to have “their own space.”

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Family Matters

FAMILY LIFE

Your family is where you learn who you are and how to relate to others. It plays a vital role in fulfilling the human need to belong and have close, long-term relationships. Whether you are a child, teen, or adult, family experiences can promote or hinder your well-being.

Tips to foster family well-being

* Live a healthy lifestyle together.

– Plan for, shop, and eat healthy foods.

– Exercise as a family if you can. Or, promote physical activity suited for each family member.

– Get enough sleep.

* Plan to eat at least one meal a day together. Have each person talk about his or her day, such as stating the best part and worst part.

* Spend time together. Attend important events for each family member.

* Express care and concern. Be available to help each other out. Listen, listen, listen.

* Practice good manners. Say, “Thank you” and “You’re welcome.” Make it a practice to send thank you calls, notes, letters, or emails to others for gifts and other acts of kindness.

* Express affection. Say, “I love you,” “I care about you,” and “You mean a lot to me.”

* Discuss the value of the family as a whole. Encourage individual expression and development.

* Define clear, yet flexible roles for family members. Assign family chores.

* Keep the house as organized as possible.

* Discuss the need to adapt to changes and deal with stressful events.

* Seek professional help for problems the family cannot deal with on its own.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Get Social For Stress Relief

SUCCESS OVER STRESS

Talking to others is a great way to cope with stress. On the flip side, feeling isolated or alone can increase stress levels. Seek out social support to help you deal with life’s challenges. If you’re not sure where to start, try these tips:

*Reach out to others.Make an effort to connect with people. Say “yes” when you get invited to a social gathering. Offer to help someone when they need it. Over time, you may find that your social connections have greatly increased because of your efforts.

*Find value in lots of people.You may find that neighbors, co-workers and family members all have positive roles to play in your life. You can have multiple friends who all have different things to offer.

*Get face to face when you can.It’s good to find time to sit down with friends and family. Talking to someone in person may help you feel more calm and connected.

*Get involved.Find a class or group that offers things you enjoy. This is a great way to connect with people who share the same interests.

Aiming for a stress-free life?

Trying to achieve a life without any stress isn’t realistic. It may even make you more stressed when you don’t succeed! Instead, look for healthy ways to cope with challenges.

Meditation, prayer, deep breathing and exercise can help you change how you react to stress. This can have a positive effect on your physical and mental health. Not all stress is bad for you if you know how to deal with it. In fact, learning to cope with stress can make you a healthier person.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Getting Active As A Family

FAMILY LIFE

One of the best ways to prevent weight problems in children is to make exercise and activity a family event. Not only can parents set a good example, but it helps everyone get healthier while bonding and having fun together. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services offers some tips:

* Find some free time. Being active together just twice a week can have health and emotional benefits. Try to find some 30-minute time slots and put your activity time on the calendar.

* Don’t make too many changes at once. To get everyone on board, start gradually and be sure to celebrate each time you make a healthy change.

* Ask for the kids’ ideas. Ask your kids about where they’d like to walk or bike. Talk to them about sports or activities they want to try.

Remember, any time you make a change toward more activity and less screen time, you’re helping everyone in your family lead a healthier life.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Strike The Right Cord

FAMILY LIFE

Children can be strangled by window cords on blinds and curtains. In fact, such tragedies are among the top hazards in American homes. Infants and children die each year from accidental strangling in the cords.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends that only cordless window coverings or those with unreachable cords be used in homes with young children. They are available today in the marketplace and will prevent window blind strangulations.

In addition, the Window Covering Safety Council encourages parents, grandparents and caregivers to follow these basic cord-safety precautions:

* Move all furniture, cribs, beds, and climbable surfaces away from windows.

* Keep all window shades, blinds, and drapery cords well out of the reach of children.

* Install only cordless window coverings in homes with young children.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026