The Power of Generational Health
Generational Health is about making conscious choices now that improve our current well-being- and set the foundation for healthier habits in our families and communities for years to come.
How to Get Started & Why It Matters
We often hear about "generational wealth"—the idea that financial literacy and smart investments made today can benefit future generations. But what if we applied that same concept to our health?
While there are some genetic predispositions that may hinder our efforts, focusing on healthy choices can create a positive ripple effect, increasing your healthspan and reducing your potential of developing chronic diseases including: heart disease, type II diabetes, obesity, and some kinds of cancer.
Eat together, whenever possible.
Every meal has the opportunity to introduce nourishing foods
What is Healthspan? It's the amount of time a person lives in good health, free from major chronic diseases and disabilities. It differs from lifespan, which is the total number of years a person lives.
When you think about someone in their 70s or 80s, do you envision exercising, dancing and traveling, or someone confined to a sedentary lifestyle, with a chronic illness and limited mobility?
How do you envision your later years?
With healthy lifestyle decisions, you can maximize your healthspan- the number of years in your life that you’re free from illness and injury.
Why Generational Health Matters
Our daily habits, food choices, and lifestyle decisions impact our own healthspan- and shape the behaviors and health outcomes of our children, grandchildren, and beyond. When we normalize healthy eating, mindful living, and toxin-free choices in our homes, we make it easier for future generations to adopt these habits as their own. Just as financial stability ensures security and opportunity for future generations, prioritizing health provides an improved quality of life for our loved ones.
Growing up, my family raised chickens for eggs, raised a pig for meat, composted regularly, grew a vegetable garden in the summers, regularly ate legumes as a protein source and had very limited access to processed foods. My mother raised me the way her mother and grandmother had raised her. It felt natural to raise my children the same way.
How to Get Started with Generational Health
Here are some simple, actionable steps to begin your journey:
1. Clean Up Your Kitchen
Do a kitchen cleanse.
The kitchen is the heart of the home and the foundation of health.
Start transitioning to a healthier kitchen by:
Swapping out processed foods for whole, nutrient-dense options.
Choosing organic when possible to reduce exposure to pesticides and chemicals.
Transitioning to non-toxic cookware and food storage options (glass, stainless steel, or silicone instead of plastic)
2. Prioritize Whole, Plant-Forward Nutrition
Eat More Veggies
Plant-forward eating: The focus is on making plants the central component of meals for better health and environmental sustainability.
A plant-forward diet is an eating style that prioritizes plant-based foods such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds while still allowing for smaller amounts of animal products, if desired.
You don’t have to be fully plant-based, but incorporating more plant-forward meals improves digestion, energy, and long-term health.
Plan meals around vegetables
Snack on fresh and dried fruits, and nuts
Incorporate whole grains into daily meals
3. Reduce Toxins in Everyday Products
From cleaning supplies to skincare, many household products contain harmful chemicals. Your family will get accustomed to the brands you support. Opt for eco-friendly, non-toxic alternatives for a healthier home environment.
Seek our paraben-free body products
Use stainless steel or glass water bottles
Use wooden and bamboo cutting boards instead of plastic
4. Model Healthy Habits for the Next Generation
Children and young adults learn by example.
Model the healthy habits you want them to incorporate into their own lives.
When they see you making healthy choices, they are more likely to integrate those behaviors into their own lives.
Take time to relax when you need it
Meal prep with your kids
Make your own exercise time a priority
5. Foster a Mindful Approach to Well-Being
Health isn’t just about what we eat—it’s about how we manage stress, connect with others, and find joy in life.
Take time to practice gratitude
Practice meditation, journaling or mindful breathing
Demonstrate how mistakes are learning opportunities
The Lasting Impact of Generational Health
Just like building generational wealth requires intention and action, creating generational health is a long-term investment that pays dividends for a lifetime.
We can set a new standard—one where vibrant health is the norm, not the exception. Start small, stay consistent, and know that every step you take toward better health is shaping a brighter, healthier future for those who come after you.
Would you like personalized support in creating a healthier home for you and your family? Leave a comment and let me know what recommendations you’ll put to use.
Interested in connecting to build your path to generational health? Email me at healthy@rachelschohn.com.