Why is Family Day in the middle of February? With ice crusting over your windshield and the sun still rising after breakfast, wouldn’t a day off in June be more enjoyable? Maybe, but that’s not the point. If you can’t beat February you might as well join it, and the best way to do that is to get out there with the people this day celebrates: Your family! If you’re wondering how to do Family Day RIGHT, keep reading…
Get Moving
We’re talking ice skating, shinny and tobogganing here. Snow forts can be built and destroyed, snow angels made, and snowball wars declared. If there’s no snow, a nature walk through a local park will get everyone excited about spring. Who knows, you might even spot a groundhog! Just make sure he sees his shadow, OK?
Get Refuelled
If there’s one thing that helps family fun go smoothly, it’s snacks. Since you’re getting active, why not reach for healthier, easy-to-prepare foods that don’t waste your efforts? Trail mix instead of potato chips, popcorn instead of french fries, and this easy trick from Olympic gold medalist and Men’s Health Champion Cassie Campbell-Pascall: “Sometimes I just pull cut-up veggies out of the package and put them on a plate with some dip. If my family is hungry before dinner, this stops us from snacking on unhealthy foods.”
Get Rewarded
Nothing goes better with outdoor winter fun than heading back home for Chili Night! Besides, who doesn’t love a great chilli in the middle of a cold winter? Countless studies have shown the positive effects of sharing a meal together.
Get Inspired
If this new approach to Family Day turns out to be a blast, why not make it a weekly or even daily thing? Of course, every day can’t be a holiday — wouldn’t that be nice? — but there’s no reason you can’t sprinkle parts of the day throughout the week. Veggie sticks before dinner on Monday, Chili Night on Wednesday, a family stroll on Friday after work…you get the idea. Spending time with loved ones is why Family Day is important, and as Cassie says: “A quick half-hour workout can really relieve stress after work. Come home and go for a family bike ride, come home and go to the park.”
Turns out February is a GREAT month for Family Day! So be sure to follow public health guidance when participating in Family Day activities, then grab your gloves and get out there…
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