You always want to protect your family’s health. However, it probably became a bit more of a priority in light of recent events. Back-to-school time may have brought more anxiety than usual.
How can you keep your kids healthier this coming fall? The following nine tips can safeguard and improve their mental and physical well-being.
1. Stock Their Backpacks
If your children have returned to the traditional classroom, you might need to add more store runs to your schedule. Your kids will need extra supplies this year — and their teachers can use any help you can give.
At a minimum, your kids will need a stash of masks and hand sanitizer along with notebooks and pens. You may also want to invest in “mask insurance” in the form of a lanyard or other strap. Ease their anxieties by letting them personalize these tools as much as they like.
2. Keep Them Active
If your children go from sitting in front of a computer all day to playing video games, they run a substantial risk of developing obesity. Unfortunately, many who carry excess weight as children don’t shed the extra as adults, leading to adverse health effects.
Getting your kids moving in the great outdoors boosts their dopamine levels, improving their mood. Plus, the exercise burns calories and helps them to maintain healthy body weight.
3. Talk to Their Teachers
You can ease considerable stress on both you and your children by talking to their teachers. Do your youngest’s elementary school instructors show them how to wash their hands before they have lunch or snack time? Do they discourage behaviors like sharing supplies, which could lead to contamination?
It’s not only the novel coronavirus — excess stress over studies can cause behavioral issues in children. Over time, the extra tension can have adverse health effects. A one-on-one with their teacher can inform you of resources like tutors who can help.
4. Get Their Booster Shots
Your child doesn’t get all their necessary immunizations in infancy. Some must wait until your little one reaches minimum developmental milestones.
Your kids need several booster shots between ages four and six. Once they reach age-11, they should get the HPV, Tdap and meningococcal vaccines.
5. Consider a Supplement
Unfortunately, once processed foods took over the scene, many folks in developed nations started having nutritional deficiencies. For example, refined flours strip away magnesium, a vital mineral for brain and emotional health.
While food remains the best source of nutrition, if your child resists eating healthy, plant-based meals, you might consider a supplement. A diet of chicken nuggets might do for Baby Yoda, but not growing humans. 6. Cut Back on Their Sugar Intake
Sugar is one of the most inflammatory foods out there and excess consumption can lead to the development of Type 2 diabetes. Millions of Americans now live with this condition or are progressing toward it.
You don’t want to steal their Halloween fun, but do limit their candy consumption to one or two pieces at a sitting. Dental problems can lead to further health woes and prove expensive to fix. Please ensure your little ones brush their teeth before going to bed.
7. Hide Veggies in Their Meals
Your children can get a considerable injection of phytonutrients from the foods they eat. However, what if the mere mention of broccoli inspires a tantrum? Force-feeding them something they don’t like inspires resentment and could potentially lead to later eating disorders.
Instead, put on your Mata Hari hat and launch a sneak attack. Learn how to prepare delicious desserts with hidden veggies — you don’t have to stick to carrot cake. You can even disguise cauliflower in a white chocolate dip.
8. Involve Them in Sports
Your little one needs exercise, and one way to get it is through sports. If your child shows an interest in cheer or soccer, encourage their participation. Such extracurriculars can lead to scholarship opportunities and build social skills.
However, not every child enjoys competing with others — especially the introverted sort. If they balk at joining the field hockey team, why not ask what physical activities they’d like to try. Many children benefit from the discipline and fitness that martial arts training provides.
9. Let Them Explore Their Creative Side
Finally, your child’s health incorporates their mind, body and spirit. Research shows that participating in arts and culture boosts confidence and resilience, two characteristics that will benefit your child throughout life.
If you and your child have both had rough days, break out the coloring books. Teenagers and adults can share in the fun, and many find the activity highly therapeutic. Hang your child’s artwork on the fridge and let them learn to play an instrument. If you don’t have the budget for lessons, you can find free versions on YouTube.
Keep Your Kids Healthy This Fall With These Nine Methods
As a parent, you want to keep your kids healthy this fall and always. The nine methods above can help you raise well-balanced children and improve their physical and mental well-being.
