I remember when one of the kids broke her leg while playing outside. Thankfully, children bounce back quickly, and she was up and moving again in about four weeks. During that recovery period, we made a lot of gelatin-rich foods and provided her with extra nutrients to help speed up the process. This was our first experience with a major injury, and it made me realize just how much we can learn from children, who often do things naturally that adults tend to forget as we age.
Kids are typically healthier than adults, and maybe some of their natural habits contribute to that. Here are a few lessons I hope to take from my little ones:
First off, sleep is crucial for good health, yet many adults don’t get nearly enough. I’ve joked that preschoolers should stay up later and high schoolers should take naps, but there might actually be something to that idea. The body repairs itself during sleep, and even one night of not enough sleep can temporarily put you in a pre-diabetic state, not to mention mess with cortisol and leptin levels. Kids tend to be healthier and usually sleep longer at night and take naps during the day. We should make sleep a priority and be just as firm about our own sleep schedules as we are about our children getting enough rest. Realize that this is key to staying youthful!
Watching our little one being still (for once) was enlightening. Kids don’t exercise in the traditional sense, but they are always on the move! They don’t hit the gym, but they sprint, climb, race, squat, and do all sorts of functional movements. And while sitting for long periods is now known to be harmful, kids naturally don’t sit still unless we make them. As adults, it’s easy to fall into sedentary habits, but we should challenge ourselves to incorporate more functional movement into our lives.
Kids are also surprisingly adept at expressing emotions. They haven’t learned to suppress or avoid feelings, which can lead to stress. While children do need to learn to express their emotions responsibly, we could learn a lot from how openly and vividly they feel. Whether they’re happy or sad, they let it out and then move on. As adults, we often cling to our emotions too long.
When it comes to eating, children have a natural sense of hunger. They eat when they’re hungry and stop when they’re full, even if it’s not mealtime. If we ensure kids have access to nutritious foods, it’s important to let them listen to their hunger cues. Many adults have lost this natural instinct, which can complicate healthy eating.
Children are naturally curious. A typical four-year-old can ask over 400 questions a day! This constant curiosity drives their learning. As adults, we sometimes stop questioning and learning new things, but asking questions keeps our minds sharp and youthful.
Children are also inherently fearless. They explore and learn through action, not fearing consequences as much as adults do. Encouraging children to take calculated risks can foster this trait in them and ourselves. Trying new things and embracing adventures can be beneficial at any age.
In terms of play, children don’t need fancy toys to have fun—they often prefer the simplicity of a cardboard box. Their creativity and ability to find joy in simple things can teach us to appreciate the mundane. Play is not just for children; it’s vital for adults too, offering joy and fostering problem-solving and creativity.
In summary, we can learn a great deal from children’s natural behaviors: prioritize sleep, move often and functionally, express emotions healthily, follow our hunger cues, stay curious, embrace fearlessness, appreciate the simple things, and remember to play. These lessons can enhance our health and overall quality of life.
