May is Family Wellness Month, but what does that mean? Family Wellness Month was created to educate and support families on their quest to make lifestyle changes that promote the emotional, mental and physical health of the entire family.

We have compiled a list of the top five ways to help making healthy choices for your family, with the goal of making them a habit.

1. Make Healthy Food Choices

What’s your family’s favorite recipe? Is there a way to make it healthier? Take the “rainbow challenge” to see who can eat the most colorful combination of fruits and vegetables. SoutheastHEALTH offers healthy cooking classes monthly at HealthPoint Plaza. Some upcoming offerings include Meal Prep Made Easy, BBQ sides, and One Pot Wonders. Each monthly class centers on a theme such as healthier comfort foods, cooking to curb inflammation, meal prepping, meatless meals or whole grain baking. Learn more here.

2. Get Active Outdoors

Get your family moving! Check out our Outdoor Guide for ideas, take a walk around your neighborhood after dinner, or air up the bikes for a bike ride. Did you know Cape is home to 25 parks? Make a list and start checking them off!

3. Family Game Night

Whether you enjoy board games, a classic game of cards or a round of charades, game night will allow your family to relax, laugh and spend some quality time together. Looking for something more active? West Park Lanes and Dogwood Social House have arcades and bowling!

4. Grow a Garden

This one takes some planning, but the benefits of watching plants grow, harvesting them from your own garden and enjoying them as a meal are fantastic! You don’t have to have a green thumb or a yard to enjoy gardening. Consider a container garden, hanging tomato plants or an indoor terrarium if you don’t have a yard. Plants Plus and Charles Hutson Horticulture Greenhouse are sure to have all the veggies, fruits and herbs your family will enjoy.

5. Connect with Family

Find a special way to show your family how much you love and appreciate them. Make it a priority to visit grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends who you don’t see as often as you would like. If your family is too far away to visit in person, send a card or meet over a video call.

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