Keeping Your Adult 'Babies' Healthy
By Donna Stark
Do you find yourself worrying about your children's immunity even if your "babies" aren't babies anymore? It's hard to stop thinking about their health, isn't it? But it's especially hard if they are miles away and fending for themselves on a college campus. So what can you do at the start of this year's cold and flu season to help ensure they stay well while being so far away? You can give each one a call and remind them how to prioritize their overall well-being!
Keeping Your Adult Children Healthy
Cold and flu season always seems to hit at the busiest time of the year, doesn't it? And it couldn't be any busier, or more stressful, for your children than these last few weeks of the semester. Even though nobody ever wants to get sick, this is a time when your college students can't afford to get sick! Here are some of the most important tips to share with them.
- Nutritious diet - A healthy body requires plenty of vitamins and nutrients, and the best way to get that is through their diet. Remind your children to skip the fast food, late-night pizza deliveries, and energy drinks, and to instead, fuel their body with a diet rich in nutrient-dense foods! Tell them to fill their plates with loads of vegetables, plenty of fruit, lean proteins, whole grains, and to drink plenty of water.
- Stress management - Just like those nasty bugs know when our lives are busy, they also know when our stress levels are high, so of course, that's when they plan their attack! Chronic stress lowers the effectiveness of the body's immune system so it's vital that your children learn effective stress management techniques, such as deep-breathing exercises, mental breaks, and physical activity during this time of year.
- Daily exercise - Speaking of physical activity ... are the only workouts your children get the ones when they find themselves running into the local coffee shop? Studies have shown, time and time again, that daily exercise (even as little as 30 minutes a day) boosts the immune system, increases energy, and promotes a greater sense of well-being.
- Quality sleep - If you hear that your children are staying up into the wee hours of the morning, you may want to remind them that they are putting themselves at an increased risk of getting sick. Encourage them to get at least seven hours of sleep every night for optimal health.
Healthy 'Babies'
Healthy behaviors may not come very easily to your children during this time of year, but if they focus on making the necessary changes to their daily lifestyle, they will have more energy and better health to focus on what's important. And, they will be able to come home to you during winter break feeling their absolute best!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Prosper, Tex.