Media portrayals of families tend to show them either highly dysfunctional or unrealistically perfect. Of course, neither is generally accurate in terms of showing normal, and healthy, families.

Despite this, a healthy family is not only possible, but essential, in order to better survive and thrive in other areas of your lives.

So how do you go about building a stronger, healthier family?

Step 1. Help promote respect, honor differences and establish a no-losers policy where every family member has a voice in how to best resolve family conflicts and problems.

Step 2. Find ways to share life experiences together and play together. Once a week, enjoy a night of playing board games. Plan a visit to an amusement park. Families who are close and healthier tend to share a committment to spending quality time with each other.

Step 3. Establish and respect healthy boundaries. Boundaries help people to understand what they are and are not responsible for in the various aspects of their lives. For example, allowing your children to experience the natural consequences of their actions can help them to understand that, while they are not responsible for the actions of others, they are responsible for their own choices.

Step 4. And, of course, help encourage a healthier family lifestyle by embracing basic healthy habits every day, such as eating healthy meals, exercising, visiting the doctor regularly, practicing great hygiene habits and getting enough sleep.

With some patience and determination, a healthier, happier family can be your reality.

source: www.blackdoctor.org

By Elle Greene, BDO Staff Writer