Originally posted by the Alberta College and Association of Chiropractors
Life only ever gets busier – at least, that’s what it feels like sometimes. Between work, caring for dependents, keeping the house clean, getting the car in for maintenance, taking your dog to the groomer’s and on and on …
With all of life’s demands, family time can be hard to prioritize, which is why it’s so important to make the most of the time you have together. With Family Day in Alberta (Feb 19) just around the corner, you may be racking your brain to find a child-friendly, senior-accessible, affordable activity that everybody can enjoy. What to do?
Here are some activities to consider for your multigenerational family:
- Get into nature. If you are lucky enough to live close to a botanic garden, river valley, or public park, why not take your family? Experiencing nature (even just trees) can be a refreshing change of pace in the midwinter, and these facilities are typically designed to be stroller and wheelchair-friendly. Plus, even light walking will contribute to your weekly physical activity goal. Indoor options include the Calgary Zoo and Edmonton’s Muttart Conservatory; outdoor options include Olds College Botanic Gardens, the Botanical Gardens of Silver Springs near Calgary, Albert Botanic Park and the Cascades Of Time Gardens in Banff.
- Cook together. “The party always ends up in the kitchen” is an old adage, and there’s good reason for that: nothing bonds people together quite like food does. If your family members are delighted by tasty food, take the opportunity to instill those great cooking habits early and get the whole family to contribute to the chopping, stirring and tasting! If you have children, this is a great moment to teach them how important and easy it is to cook healthy meals. You can get lots of recipes online, at the library or bookstore. For extra points, get an older adult to teach their “specialty” to the family.
- Play cards. If your body is injured or needs rest, never fear – you can always enjoy some game time with your family! Playing cards or board games allows you to build precious memories, while also sitting down and resting. If you are sore in any particular place, it’s easy to strap an ice or heat pack to yourself in this position, as well (click here to find out which temperature is better for your injury).
- Stretch it out. Unless you have space or mobility restrictions, stretching together can be a really relaxing, healthy way to spend time with your family. Straighten Up Alberta offers a program that is easy for both kids and adults to participate in – and it’s so short that you can integrate it into your daily or weekly routine, long after the events of Family Day conclude.
Fit Chiropractic into your Lifestyle
Your chiropractor is trained to do more than diagnose and treat injuries. Chiropractic students complete classes in physiology, biochemistry and nutrition as part of their core curriculum. As a result, your chiropractor can also give you nutritional advice and whole-body wellness strategies in conjunction with your chiropractic treatment.