How to reset your health on Sundays?

Most people like to reserve Sundays for relaxing and rejuvenating their bodies and minds after toiling hard for six days a week. So, Sundays are also the days to lie lazily in bed, doing nothing, or to enjoy good food or valuable moments with your loved ones. You could also turn Sundays into a relaxing movie date with your family and friends. But people tend to go back to scrolling their phone screens quickly, missing out on some of the most beautiful moments in their lives. You need to put in extra effort to cherish and nurture your family bonds. 

Studies conducted by the World Health Organisation and Harvard University state that a happy, peaceful family atmosphere is essential for enjoying a stress-free life, achieving good sleep, and longevity. The Indian researchers at AIIMS and ICMR state that enjoying meals, playing, or exercising together improves families' overall mental health and helps maintain a healthy lifestyle. So, it would be a good idea to set aside Sundays for a health reset with your family. Reports suggest that spending time with family could grant longevity. If the bonds within a family are stronger, its members won’t suffer from high blood pressure. 

Besides, they may also enjoy excellent immunity and well-being. Research reports recommend eating meals together to reduce the risk of obesity. When we eat, play, or spend time together, our bodies release happy hormones like oxytocin and endorphins, which protect the heart and boost immunity. So, try to engage in activities with your family to support overall health and well-being.

A walk with family
Family members could enjoy a pleasant and relaxing walk together on Sundays. You could use this time to have a hearty conversation or enjoy a casual chat. The elderly parents could share nostalgic memories while the youngsters could make them laugh with their jokes. Studies show that walking in a green, pleasant spot can reduce anxiety and blood pressure by up to 12 per cent. Having a good laugh together and enjoying each other’s company decreases cortisol levels. 

Cooking together
Avoid eating out on Sundays; instead, the family members could cook sumptuous biryani or a special dish together. The kids in the family could cut vegetables, help with cleaning, or help with other chores. A study published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behaviour found that families who cook together consume 25 per cent more fruits and veggies than families who do not cook together. Eating together inspires family members to share food equally and teaches them the value of honesty. 

Keep your mobile phone away
Try to stay away from your mobile phones on Sunday as all the family members will be home. You could spend some time engaging in creative activities, such as painting or embroidery. You could even try moving the furniture around or changing the décor to give the interiors a refreshed look. 

Playing together
Some might dismiss this as old and boring. But enjoying a thrilling game together helps family members bond. Board games like Ludo, UNO, Snakes and Ladders, and Police and Robber are some of the games that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Such games increase the dopamine levels and stimulate brain function. So, games or playing together are tantamount to engaging in brain workouts.

Gratitude journal
Expressing gratitude for the blessings that you receive every day will make your life more meaningful and fulfilling. Try to be grateful even for small things like spending time together, for enjoying good health, for the excellent blood results of your ageing parents, for the high marks scored by your child in a class test or even for the chance to enjoy a cup of hot tea while it rains outside. Keeping a gratitude journal could reduce the symptoms of depression and anxiety. Besides, there would be fewer grievances in families that follow this habit. Moreover, family members would be kind to each other. Family bonds would be stronger, and your physical and mental health would significantly improve if you spend some time on Sundays for a total health reset.