Healthy Habits

Why Healthy Habits Matter#

A habit is something you do regularly — so regularly that it becomes automatic, like brushing your teeth. Some habits are healthy and some are not so healthy. The healthy habits you build when you are young are the ones that stay with you your whole life!

What Are Healthy Habits?#

Healthy habits are choices that help your body and mind feel their best:

• Drinking enough water every day
• Eating fruits and vegetables and other nutritious foods
• Getting enough sleep every night
• Being physically active every day (we learned about this!)
• Washing your hands to prevent illness
• Brushing your teeth to protect them
• Spending time outside in fresh air and sunlight

Your Body Is Like a Car#

Here is a helpful way to think about it: your body is like a car. To work properly, a car needs:

• The right fuel (gasoline) → your body needs food and water
• Rest (time with the engine off) → your body needs sleep
• Maintenance (check-ups, oil changes) → your body needs exercise and hygiene
• The right driving conditions → your body needs a healthy environment

Just like you would not put dirty fuel in a car, you should choose healthy foods to fuel your body!

Habits Build Over Time#

Habits do not just happen overnight. They are built by doing the same healthy behavior day after day. Scientists say it takes about 21-66 days of consistent practice for a behavior to become a habit.

Here is good news: if you start healthy habits NOW, at age 6 or 7, they become part of who you are! You will not have to think about them — they will just feel natural.

Small Changes Make a Big Difference#

You do not have to change everything at once! Start with one small healthy habit:

• Drink one extra glass of water today
• Choose a piece of fruit instead of a cookie for a snack
• Go to bed 15 minutes earlier

Small steps add up to big changes over time!