3 Tips for a Healthy School Year
By Virginia Laird
As each school year approaches, parents begin to consider the variety of ways they can help keep their children healthy. Throughout the school year, your children will certainly be exposed to strep throat, viruses, the flu, and much more. While there is very little that can be done to avoid every illness, there are plenty of things you can do to help promote healthy living and a healthy immune system. One sure thing that every healthcare professional insists is that you teach your children to wash their hands often, as well as use sanitizer when available. Other tips you should consider include:
- Implement a bedtime routine
- Encourage time outside
- Have a breakfast plan
Implement a Bedtime Routine
When it comes to trying to make sure you children get enough sleep to be successful at school, establishing a bedtime routine can be helpful. Healthcare professionals admit that the body needs routine to help it know when to relax and prepare for sleep. These experts recommend bedtime routines that last no more than 20 minutes and include activities that help relax the mind and body. These can include reading, stretching, and meditation among other things. Consider making this part of your evening right away.
Encourage Time Outside
After being trapped in a classroom for most of the day, your children need time to stretch and run off energy once they get home. For this reason it is best that you encourage them to spend time outdoors every afternoon. This allows for exercise and stress relief. Helping your children learn to enjoy the great outdoors can be a good way to manage any anxiety caused by school. Research indicates that children who spend time outdoors tend to be more successful students. Start today helping your children get outdoors daily to improve their health and ability to focus while in the classroom.
Have a Breakfast Plan
There is research to support the idea that breakfast helps the brain to focus each morning. Like adding fuel to your car, food helps keep the body running and functioning properly. Experts advise that having a plan for breakfast can help you make sure to eat each morning. For those who are not breakfast lovers, there is a wide variety of alternative meal supplements, including breakfast bars and shakes. Plan now for your breakfast to make your morning a great one.
As you make these tips part of your school routine, you can set your mind at ease that you have done everything in your power to help your student build a strong and healthy immune system, which will hopefully help them avoid many illnesses this year.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Richmond, Va.
