YMCA Offers 5 Ways To Connect With Family

The following was submitted by the Lynch Van Otterloo YMCA. This column will be published weekly. 

The New Year is a time for new beginnings and for many to set goals that make them stronger in spirit, mind and body.

– a leading nonprofit for youth development, healthy living and social responsibility – one of the most important resolutions is to build or maintain family connectedness.

Following are five things the Y recommends families do to be healthier and stronger throughout the year:

1. Eat Together – Sitting down for a meal together is a great time for parents to talk with their children, helping the family become more connected with one another. Set aside time for the family to eat breakfast, lunch or dinner at least once a week or every day ifscheduling permits.
2. Volunteer – Giving back and supporting neighbors benefits everyone involved. It helps develop new relationships and teaches children and teens the value of helping others. Find an opportunity in your community that the entire family may enjoy, such as cleaning your neighborhood park or distributing food at a local food bank. For volunteer opportunities with the Lynch/van Otterloo YMCA, contact Jeanne Smith at 781-990-7024or smithj@northshoreymca.org.
3. Learn Something New – Step out of your comfort zone, have fun and grow by exploring personal interests. Try something new together that you’ve always wanted to do, like pottery making or camping. Visit northshoreymca.org for opportunities.
4. Start a New Tradition – Traditions are an excellent way to create activities that bring families together. Talk with each other to discover common interests and then create an activity everyone can participate in weekly, monthly or yearly.
5. Be Active – It’s important to get at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day. Incorporate physical activity into your daily routines and spend more time walking places instead of driving to improve your health and well-being. The Y offers many fun opportunities for families to be active together. Visit northshoreymca.org to find a Y in your community.