As a parent, you want your kids to thrive. This is especially true if your child is dealing with health issues like alopecia. However, you shouldn’t sacrifice your own well-being for that of your children. Luckily, there are plenty of actionable self-improvement steps that you can take to improve the entire family’s health and happiness. Here are some self-improvement steps from Positivity+ that you can implement in your family that will help kids and adults alike.

Create a healthy home to support healthy habits

Healthy habits start with a healthy home. Start by decluttering your space and giving it a deep clean to remove dust, mites, and other potential allergens that can harm health. Next, equip your house with products that are conducive to good health. For example, keep all-natural kid-friendly shampoos and conditioners in your shower. You can also use organic cleaning products instead of heavy chemicals.

Embrace positivity in your family

A happy life starts with a happy mindset. Encourage a positive atmosphere at home by leveraging optimistic mantras. Parents have a list of positive affirmations you can teach your children to empower them, like “I can do hard things,” “I can do whatever I set my mind to,” “I am worthy of love,” and “I am grateful for who I am.” Say them together in the mirror in the mornings, and you’ll both benefit.

Get active together as a family

Physical activity is important at any age. Get your whole family moving by exercising as a group. There are many fun ways to be active, like going for a family walk or hike, taking a bike ride, or having a dance party. Games like tag and hide and seek can also be a great way to get your heart rate pumping. As your kids get older, encourage them to get into sports. You can practice games like baseball and soccer together.

Revamp your family mealtimes

Family mealtime is an opportunity to socialize and catch up with the kids. While mealtime itself can be fun, preparing the food for the meal itself can be tedious. Encourage the whole family to get involved in food preparation by embracing kid-friendly recipes. Jamie Oliver has a list of family meals that are healthy and easy to prepare. Many of these are also easy to reheat. You can batch-cook meals and then reheat them later.

Find ways to combat stress together

Stress can impact kids and adults alike. If your little one has alopecia, this is a major concern, as stress can exacerbate hair loss. Encourage your kids to master techniques that help them reduce stress. Exercise is one option. Other possibilities include deep breathing,  muscle relaxation, visual imagery, and sensory activities. Activities like practicing music or taking up a new hobby can also help.

Make education a family-wide priority

A good education sets your kids up for a bright future. Lead by example by pursuing your own scholastic ambitions. You can pursue an online degree program while still working full-time and caring for the kids. Make sure any online school you choose is accredited. When picking a degree program, consider your goals. For example, if you want to be a nurse, you’ll need a nursing degree.

As a parent, be a role model in your professional life

Pursue your dream job and set a great example for your kids. Update your resume, then use a free tool in order to convert to PDF online and begin your job search. This includes modeling the process of how to search classified ads and job postings in your field, as well as how to write a professional cover letter.

Alternatively, you might consider starting your own business. A limited liability company (LLC), protects your personal liability and simplifies the tax burden on your business. Research what it takes to start a business, like appointing a registered agent to accept documents from law firms, the government, and tax agencies on your behalf.

Parenting a child with alopecia isn’t always easy. You can help support your little one’s well-being – and your own – by implementing the above self-improvement tips. By taking steps like pursuing your dreams and starting a business, you’re showing your child how to thrive.

Positivity+ is happy to offer a variety of mental health services. Contact us if you have any questions!

Written by Mary Green of holisticlivingtoday.com