The holidays are here, and with them a variety of health concerns: the cold, the flu, and the holiday fat. Today, I’m sharing parenting advice on keeping your kids healthy during holidays. The holiday season can be amazing. But, between the flu bug and the holiday overeating our best intentions for health and fitness can awry.
Here are 5 tips to keeping your kids healthy:
1). Make Sure They See the Doctor
First, are your kids current on their pediatrician visits? Your pediatrician can evaluate their overall health and identify any pressing issues as well as keep them current on their vaccinations,
According to Families First Pediatrics in South Jordan, UT, it’s a good idea to bring your children in around the beginning of holiday season. Vaccinations are an important concern. Especially with the flu and other nasty bugs going around. But, there may be other issues you may want to address head-on so you can have a good holiday season.
So, be sure to ask about any health concerns you may have. Furthermore, their vitamin levels. Are they getting enough Vitamin D and/or Vitamin E? Discuss this concern with your doctor.
2). Let Them Have Sick Days
It’s likely that you’ll have to deal with some runny noses, coughs, and sniffles during the holiday season. As a result, it’s a good idea to allow your children to have a sick day or two now. Push them to go to school could end up with them missing more days and exposing other children in their classes.
3). Keep Everyone Moving
It can be very easy to let physical activity fall by the wayside during the holidays. After all, everyone’s busy celebrating and eating lots of delicious food. Furthermore, there’s a good chance it’s a lot colder outside and the days are shorter. Admittedly, winter may present you with some of your biggest tests, but there are a few tried and true ways to getting your kids physically active and healthy.
For example, walk as much as possible. A brisk walk in the cold can be refreshing. Walking a few blocks with the family after dinner can be a good source of exercise and a chance to burn calories. When you return, cozy up to the fire and play a game. Also, try to find opportunities to be physically active indoors. Yoga, which requires very little room or special equipment, can be done by practically anyone. This includes kids as well as adults.
No parent condones running inside, but sled riding or building a snowman can be fun if you have snow in your area. A day at the roller skating or ice skating rink can be fun too. If it’s not too cold riding bikes around the neighborhood can be fun.
4). Hand Hygiene
Hand hygiene is also important not only during the holidays, but throughout the year. It’s flu season, and colds are common as well. Make sure your kids adhere to frequent hand-washing after using the restroom, before meals, and after blowing their noses. A simple bar of soap should suffice for all hand-washing needs.
5). Look for Healthy Food Alternatives
You’re likely to get a lot of resistance to healthier meal planning for the holidays. So, “Hey guys, we’re going to try some healthier versions of all our favorite holiday foods!” is likely to get you push back. Unfortunately, for many kids and many adults, when they hear “healthier” they think it means “terrible and icky”.
Instead, make brownies using black beans instead of flour or cookies made with bananas instead of butter. Serve them to your children without explanation of what’s in them. Let them enjoy these treats without realizing they’re eating something different.
Conclusion
Being healthy for the holidays can help everyone enjoy them. From careful hand hygiene to paying attention to what you eat, these 5 tips should help you get the most out of your holiday season.
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