HealthyLife Articles

Tag: games

  • Fun Ways To Reduce Family Stress

    SUCCESS OVER STRESS

    Grandfather, father, and young son playing basketball.

    Spending time with people you care about can be a powerful stress reliever. This is true for every person in your family. Finding activities you all enjoy can strengthen family bonds, reduce everyone’s stress, and bring more fun into your life. Here are some stress-relieving activities that can work for the whole family.

    Plan a craft night

    Creative activities are a great way to relax together. Put on some music and get out crafting, drawing, or painting supplies. If you’re not much of a crafter, consider signing up the family for a class or a night out at a local craft shop.

    Play a sport

    Find a sport you all enjoy. Plan a weekly or monthly time to play together as a family. Keep it low stakes and focused on fun. Being active as a family can relieve stress and put everyone in a more positive mood.

    Watch a comedy

    Turn on a show everyone finds funny or look up some silly online videos. Instead of each family member retreating to their own screens, make time to watch something together. Choose something that will get everyone laughing to reduce stress and promote family bonding.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • A Parents Guide To Gaming

    FAMILY LIFE

    Father and son playing virtual games.

    Gaming is a popular past-time among this generation of kids. As a parent, here are some things to know to keep gaming safe.

    *  Moderation is key. Set healthy limits on how much video game time you allow your kids.

    *  Know what they’re playing. Some games are better than others. If your kid struggles with mental health, help them find better games.

    *  Prioritize sleep. It’s common for gaming to interfere with healthy sleep habits. Set boundaries that prioritize sleep.

    *  Take breaks. Teach your kids to schedule regular breaks into their gaming time. Stepping away is good for mental health.

    *  Stay connected off-line. Keep your kids grounded in the real world by engaging in screen-free activities together.

    *  Game with your kids. Get involved with your kids’ interests by gaming with them (in moderation!).

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • The Family That Plays Together Stays Together

    FAMILY LIFE

    Family playing Jenga.

    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