Sure, your kids naturally bounce off the walls now as you stand agape at how much energy they have, but they won’t always be that way. In the future, your children will need habits to stay healthy as their metabolism and pace of life slow.

Meanwhile, you need to steward your body and mind well, just as you thoroughly care for your patients during a shift. To accomplish both of these things, you’ll need to establish a family culture of health. For help doing this, here are a few tips for raising a healthy family.

Get Active Together

First, discover a physical activity you can do as a family, preferably an easy one that’s feasible at many points in the year. Hiking can be moderate in intensity and allow for great adventures and conversations, making it a well-rounded option for more than just your family’s health.

In warm weather, throwing a frisbee is as simple as picking one or two up and enlisting people to play—you’re out and active within minutes. At the same time, organizing a family soccer or football match also requires few materials but adds in a competitive element.

No matter which way you come together to exercise, the good associations your kids build make it more probable they’re active down the line. For your own sake, finding something everyone enjoys spurs your own physical activity beyond your typical boundaries.

Volunteer as a Family

Another tip for raising a healthy family is to volunteer as a unit. While serving often involves physical exertion, there are also other health benefits to engaging with charities, one of which is diminished depression symptoms.

One possible explanation is charity work’s connection to a greater purpose. As you, your spouse, and your kids volunteer, you’re likely to feel encouraged by your sense of mission, which is especially strong because you share it with your family members.

Limit Exposure to Processed Sugars

One final note—protect your kids from processed sugars to help them develop healthy eating habits from the get-go. Associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes, and other lifelong problems, there’s no apparent reason to rush introducing your kids to sugary juices, soda, and processed foods until they’re at least two years old.

The longer you delay sugar or treat it as a treat only, the more time you have to instill a taste for vegetables and fruits. Sugar is, after all, a really tempting option given the body’s desire for high caloric content foods, and it crowds out more nutritious foods. Not only that, but you’ll benefit by crafting meals that have less sugar as well, allowing for family-wide nutrition.