Improve Your Family's Wellbeing
Spending quality time as a family is important but can be difficult to manage with the ups and downs of life. Getting the right help and knowing how to improve your family’s connectivity and wellbeing is achievable regardless of how a family looks. Learn four ways you can start spending quality time with your family.
The family unit plays a really important role in one’s overall wellbeing. All families vary, for example, family members may not always be biologically related, or living in the same household. Some may also be living with extended family members.
We often learn so much from our family, from daily habits, to navigating some of the challenges of life. Positive family relationships often involve family members spending quality time together. This involves participating in fun activities that the whole family enjoys. These activities can make you feel safe and loved, they can strengthen family bonds, and they also can increase self-esteem and provide a sense of belonging.
Family leisure plays an integral role in the success of families. Below you will find four ways to spend more time building a stronger connection with your family.
Movie Night
Watching movies with the family is a way of connecting. Spending this time together can strengthen bonds and build positive memories. Here’s an activity you can practise with your family. Take turns watching everyone’s favourite movie. Share any positive thoughts or reflections when it comes to each movie. Watching movies together can help you learn and grow. When will you schedule in your next movie night with the family?
Mealtime
Eating dinner together is an important way to foster a connection and communicate the day's events to each other. Preparing a meal together, ordering takeaway food and sharing dinner is another way you can enjoy time with your family. Research has found that sharing a family meal creates a sense of ‘togetherness’. A study by Utter and colleagues (2013) investigated the impact of family members sharing meals. The study found sharing meals with family members provides an opportunity to build stronger connections among family members. Make some time to share a meal with your family.
Playing Games
Playing games are fun and engaging ways to create connection. Games can include anything from board games like Monopoly, Cluedo, to card games or even app-based games. Families have played games together long before video games were invented. Research looking at families that play online games together found that these games improved bonds and satisfaction levels amongst family members. Sometimes it is the simple things in life that help improve loving connection.
Outdoor Fun
Taking a walk in nature, going to the beach, playing a sport or even camping are great ways to have fun with the family. Research has found that there is a relationship between outdoor recreation, family strength and cohesiveness. Get outside and find some unique and novel ways to increase connection with your family.
Are you looking for more games and activities you can do with your family? Have a look at this article for more activities to partake in. Taking the time to create meaningful connections with your family is important. Integrate one of the activities outlined above into your family schedule and start reaping the rewards of meaningful family connection.
