a healthy balance
Filed Under Tips & Tricks | February 17, 2009
Holidays and special occasions aside, keeping your kids (and yourself) in a familiar routine is key to keeping healthy. So we asked Dr. Stephanie Bonn of Bonn Chiropractic to weigh in with tips for establishing the right balance for healthy kids:
- You already know it, but a reminder never goes amiss – nutrition is important. They’ll benefit from the antioxidants – part of the body’s natural defence mechanism – in organic fruits and vegetables, while zinc in red meat, eggs and dairy increases their resistance to infection. Magnesium is another essential mineral found in legumes. With less sunshine in the winter months, a Vitamin D supplement is worth considering. Now that Valentine’s Day is over, why not take this chance to decrease your child’s sugar intake? Studies prove that sugar can deplete the body of several vitamins and minerals and prevent the white blood cells of your immune system from eliminating bacteria.
- Daily activity and fresh air are integral to your child’s health. Shorter days and wetter, cold weather can make it a challenge, but even half an hour of outdoor play a day makes a big difference.
- Sleep has long been considered a restorative process and a fundamental part of health and a properly functioning immune system. Although we cannot “make” our children sleep, we can foster good sleep habits that will help them get the rest they need.
- Good hygiene through frequent hand washing is one of the best ways to prevent colds and flu. And rather than having your children cover their mouths with their hands when they cough or sneeze, have them use their elbows.
- Too many extra-curricular activities can put young children under stress. Set aside time for free play to fuel a child’s imagination. Plus over-scheduling doesn’t give them a chance to exercise their innate ability to entertain themselves, and why would you want to inhibit that?
- Studies have also shown the direct relationship between a balanced spine and optimal growth and development. Perhaps it’s time to schedule a visit to the chiropractor who can give your child a check-up for a healthy nervous system?
Dr. Stephanie Bonn is a mother of two and owner of Bonn Chiropractic, a great resource for prenatal chiropractic care: www.bonnchiropractic.com. For previous columns from Dr. Bonn click here.
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