The start of the school year creates a shift from the carefree days of summer to a more structured routine. As kiddos nervous systems tense up while they count down the last days until school, something else tends to travel south too... their immunity. Worry, stress, and having a hard time adjusting to change can all weaken our immune system. For kiddos, it is crucial to help them boost their immunity before they return to school because of all the germ exposure from the being inside a building all day with so many other kiddos and adults, change in sleep and eating routines, less time outdoors, and more time indoors sitting under florescent lights that can literally be a headache waiting to happen. * So what can we do to help boost their immune system? Here are a few ways you can get started today - 1. Prioritize Sleep - During the summer, sleep schedules can become more relaxed, making it challenging for Mom and child to adjust to early school mornings. Start by gradually shifting bedtime and wake-up times about two weeks before school starts. Even as little as a fifteen minute shift every few days is incredibly helpful! Create a calm bedtime routine, avoid screens before bed, and ensure they are comfy and cozy. 2. Elevate Nutrition - Encourage your kiddos to eat a rainbow of colorful fruits and veggies to offer them plenty of fiber, vitamins, including vitamin C, antioxidants, and other nutrients. Limit sugary snacks, processed foods, and beverages, as excess sugar can weaken the immune system. Plan your meals, snacks, and lunches ahead of time when you are prepping your grocery list. 3. Keep them Hydrated - Proper hydration is often overlooked but is crucial for our body's systems to function properly and in sync. Water helps in transporting nutrients, removing waste, and supporting overall bodily functions. Encourage your family to drink water throughout the day by sending your kids to school and sports with water bottles and having water bottles available for after school travel, with meals, etc. Herbal teas and infused water with slices of fruits and herbs are also refreshing options that kids do really like! You just have to let them try it to know they like it! 4. Keep them Moving - Exercise not only contributes to physical fitness but also has immune-boosting effects. Engage in regular physical activity as a family, whether it's going for walks, bike rides, or playing sports together. Exercise helps increase circulation, exercise and open the lungs, rids excess energy and promotes better sleep, and reduces stress, all factors that contribute to a strong immune system. 5. Create Calm - Starting school can bring about stress and anxiety, affecting immune function. Teach your children natural coping techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, stretching, or yoga. Children are more likely to start getting into these habits when they see a parent or teacher doing the same. You can practice these natural, totally free, relaxing practices at home daily with your child. It's good for everyone! 6. Teach Hygiene - This is no new one of course, but it is so overlooked and incredibly easy to take five minutes to talk to your child about coughing in their arm, proper way to blow their nose (one nostril at a time and wash hands after), covering sneezes, and washing hands all over, top and bottom, and in between fingers with soap! Remember, hand sanitizer doesn't kill the Norovirus (dreaded stomach flu!) so it is worth teaching the kiddos these basics. And I must also add, you are also teaching them to keep other children safe, especially those with autoimmune disorders or weakened immune systems. 7. Keep them Outdoors - Being in nature is GROUNDING. I cannot express it enough because stress is a major cause of so many ailments, including a weakened immune system. Be sure to take your child out for a walk in the evenings after work or do things outdoors you both enjoy every day the weather permits. Get curious, open up their curious minds, and explore all the mother nature has to offer. Do you know how much natural medicine is in nature?! As you explore, you can write down what you might be interested in learning more about. Be sure to explore this blog page for more great health and wellness tips that helps you and your child thrive and also click here to Sign up for FREE weekly wellness tips! 9. Stay Ahead of Illness - Ask your children how the kids are at school, if anyone left home that day or is out sick, how their teacher is feeling, etc. You can learn a lot! So many time my children have come stating a child threw up in class and the first thing I do is pull out organic lemons and probiotics! This is just a small start of a routine that we would proceed with when hearing about the stomach flu. If it is a cough, sore throat, or other bug, we may do the same or something completely different depending what we have on hand at that time. Know how others around your child are feeling as much as possible and proceed from their to help your child thrive! If you jump at these key immune boosting practices, you will be at a much better start to prevent illness the first two weeks of school. I do know from experience though, that creating self care routines and sleep schedules isn't all that easy, so if you need help, please do not hesitate to reach out so we can start working together! There is nothing like learning to boost your child's health and wellness in the comfort of your favorite sweats, in your favorite room, right next to your favorite people! That's what is like when we work together! I make learning simple, fun, inspirational, and deliver education that lasts a lifetime! Start today so your child can step into those school doors ahead of the health and wellness game!
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Photo Credit - johannes-plenio-qkfxBc2NQ18-unsplash.jpg It's past the fourth of July now, one of your busiest holidays and months of summer. The weekends have all been filled with graduation parties, boat days, baseball, and now you soaking in sweat during soccer season. Or, maybe your family is busy fishing, swimming, and camping. No matter what you have been busy doing... You are exhausted to say the least. You wake up towards the end of July and realize that there is only one month left of summer. School will start soon and the trees that provided you with grounding and shade all summer will start to change colors letting you know more change is coming. You aren't sure how you will have the energy next month to squeeze any more activities in, but you also know between time and the weather, you summer days are becoming less and less. So could you call this heavy hearted feeling the summer blues or is it just that you really want to get more quality time in with your kiddos and knowing they are growing again and heading into the next grade at school is making you a tad sad. Or maybe you can't figure out where on earth you can fit more time in and you are feeling down right exhausted from going, going, and going already? Wether you are feeling a touch of summer sadness or are just running on empty, here are a few things you can start doing today to gain some pep in your step and uplift your mood - * Use Your Planner - Yes I now it is summer and anything goes in summer but guess what... part of your exhaustion could really simply just be your mind repeating to do lists over and over that aren't getting done because you ditched the planner. So to get a few things off of your mind and actually done, grab your weekly planner and get them on the calendar in a specific day and time frame this week. * Plan Ahead - While you have your planner out, take a look at the next six weeks on the full calendar view and see where you have events you can say NO to and where you can add it what your heart really desires to do with your kiddos. If there are things you don't even want to attend, that make your muscles tense just thinking about them, or that you can kindly pass on to make memories with your children, then do it! * Eat Fruit - I am sure you have been feeding your kiddos well and keeping them hydrated, but what about you busy Mom?The vibrant colors are uplifting alone, not to mention if you take a few minutes to enjoy the energizing aroma before you eat the fruit, you can easily boost your mood! The nutrients and antioxidants will replenish your energy supply and the fiber will help keep your digestive tract moving. Both can help increase energy! Boosting your mood and your energy makes grabbing an orange or grapefruit sound like the right thing to do! * Organize Something - Sounds silly but I bet you have been so busy you have no idea what is even going on in your closets! I know you know what I am talking about! Give yourself a few hours this week to turn on your favorite tunes, diffuse you favorite essential oil, and just simply organize something and get rid of what you no longer need. It always feels good to simplify. * Use Aromatherapy Products - It seems easy to forget to use essential oils in summer time because illness isn't lurking around every corner like in the winter months, but do not forget the power essential oils and aromatherapy products have to to help to uplift or balance a mood and create energy within. Ideas could be to diffuse citrus essential oils, use natural cleaning sprays you love, and use natural skin care products or blends you love morning, day, and night. Your skin will love the extra moisture anyways and you will love the aroma! * Just Be In The Moment - Allow yourself time for self care prior to special outings with the kids so can calm your nervous system and clear your mind. Then allow yourself time to set your mental to do list to the side and just simply enjoy the time you have with your kiddos. You heart will be fulfilled knowing you were in the moment, made the memories, got to see the smiles, and enjoyed hearing the giggles and laughter. You got this! 🦋 Jamie P.S. If you or your kids are known to struggle with back to school, emotional balance, change of schedules, time management, sleep, nerves, and so forth, please do not hesitate to get a Wellness Call Booked so I can offer support through this time for you and your child BEFORE the school year starts so you can both get started on a more balanced path. 💜 Don't Wait! School Starts in a few weeks! Click Here to Book Your Online Wellness Session Now! |
Did you find the information helpful? Show your LOVE & appreciation with a coffee tip so Jamie can continue to deliver more! :)AuthorJamie Michaels, Natural Wellness Educator & Founder of Children's Wellness Tree Archives
November 2024
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