Category Archives: Going Healthy

How to Stop Feeling Sluggish Everyday

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One thing that nearly everyone misses from their childhood is their energy. Those high energy levels made you instantly feel awake the second you got out of bed, all the way until bedtime. It’s honestly amazing how much energy children have, and the more physical activity they do, the more energized they get! When you’re a dad, you need to keep your energy levels consistent, and you’re going to have to be just about as energized as your kids. Can it be tough? Absolutely; generally speaking, for the average person, you become more sluggish as you age. 

Even for teenagers, it’s the case; they’re so sleepy all the time. But with that said, you’re still going to need to push yourself, and you’re still going to need to get those energy levels up. A lot of people, especially those in their thirties or older, tend to be sluggish on a daily basis. Whether you’re a parent or not, you can’t really get much done if you’re so sleepy all the time. So, with that said, here’s how you can stop feeling so sluggish every day. 

Are You Stressed? Manage That First!

Did you know that stress can make you sluggish? Sure, sometimes stress kicks into overdrive to the point where you can’t sleep. But that’s not all. Stress can release adrenaline, which is a healthy and natural hormone that gives you a burst of energy to handle a situation, but over time constant stress can cause fatigue. Taking steps to reduce your stress levels, like streamlining harried mornings at home or scheduling some relaxing activities, such as a walk in nature or a soothing yoga session, can help you combat feelings of exhaustion. If your feelings persist, check with a doctor to see if they may be related to a more serious health condition.

Talk to Your Doctor

Whether it’s Dr. Kelly Roan or your local doctor, it’s best to bring up the fact that you’re feeling sluggish. If it’s almost every single day, then this could actually raise some alarm bells for your doctor. You might have an iron deficiency or even lack in B12, two things that people tend to be severely missing without even realizing it. So talk to your doctor, and try to push for some blood work, as this might indicate what the issue is.

Take a Look At Your Diet

You are what you eat, and if you eat badly, you’re hands-down going to feel bad too. The food we eat plays a major role in our energy levels. Eating foods that are high in saturated fats can slow digestion and take oxygen- and energy-delivering blood away from your muscles, leaving you feeling tired. Similarly, eating too many carbohydrates can cause your blood sugar to spike and crash, making you feel exhausted and sluggish.

Try to eat smaller meals and snacks throughout the day rather than three large meals to keep your blood sugar stable. Also, be sure to eat iron-rich foods like beef and iron-fortified cereals as well as leafy vegetables and beans, and pair them with vitamin C to enhance absorption.

11 Things You Can’t Wait to Have Your Kids Checked For

As parents, we all want our kids to remain healthy and fulfilled; one way we can ensure this happens is through regular check-ups. While it may seem excessive to some younger children, addressing health concerns early is key. Here are 11 items your kids need checked for that are worth doing so – from hearing loss to nutrition issues and vaccinations.

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Hearing Loss

Hearing loss can have a dramatic impact on a child’s development and should never be overlooked. At your child’s annual exam, the doctor should perform an ear exam to ensure no hearing loss exists; early intervention for kids hearing loss is extremely crucial so any issues found can be quickly addressed and treated effectively. 

Eye Tests

Vision tests are an integral component of pediatric check-ups and can detect vision issues like nearsightedness and farsightedness that require glasses or contact lenses for correction. You should also have your child’s eyes examined for color blindness – something not uncommon among young children. 

Nutrition 

Children learn healthy eating habits early, so it is crucial that their doctor assess whether your child is receiving all of the essential nutrients during their developmental years. Your doctor may discuss food selection and portion size with you to ensure a well-rounded diet is being consumed by your child. You may be asked to keep a food diary so they can monitor nutritional intake more easily and suggest any necessary changes if required.

Vaccinations

Vaccines play a vital role in keeping kids safe from serious illness and disease, so it’s essential that they’re up-to-date with all necessary vaccinations. Your doctor will be able to advise which vaccinations would best benefit your child as well as answer any queries or address concerts you might have. Furthermore, booster shots could even be offered during their checkup if due.

Allergies and Asthma

It is vitally important for children’s wellbeing that allergies and asthma be monitored as these conditions can change over time. At their check-up visit, the doctor may ask about symptoms or triggers as well as recommend allergy tests if necessary. You may also be asked about family histories related to allergies and asthma to assess risk and ensure your child does not develop these conditions in future years.

Heart Health

While heart issues in children may be rare, it’s still essential that they get checked as early as possible. Your pediatrician will use a stethoscope to listen for abnormalities in your child’s heart rhythm; additionally they may take a blood pressure reading and check pulse rate; finally you may also be asked questions regarding activity levels and lifestyle habits of both your family. 

Mental and Emotional Health

Pediatric care includes providing regular checks on your child’s mental health. Your physician can offer guidance in managing stress, anxiety or depression and can refer you to resources if needed. Furthermore, parents need to have open conversations with their children in order to monitor their emotional development – asking about school, friends, hobbies and family relationships can all help monitor emotional progress.

Physical Activity

Exercise is an integral component of leading a healthy lifestyle for children. Your pediatrician can provide advice on how to get your child more active during a check-up visit, as well as guidance regarding which forms of activity would best benefit their age group. They may also ask about your family’s diet and lifestyle habits so they are getting enough physical activity.

Screen Time

Too much screen time has become an ever-increasing problem among children these days, prompting many physicians to discuss it during check-ups and provide advice on limiting screen time in order to promote healthier habits and maintain mental engagement and activity levels. They may suggest taking regular breaks away from screens during the day in order to keep active mentally as well as physically engaged – or create a healthier home environment by creating “screen-free zones”.

Growth and Development

Your doctor will conduct an assessment to make sure that your child is meeting age-appropriate milestones, including speaking correctly, walking efficiently and socializing as expected. Should any issues arise during their assessment, your doctor may refer you to a specialist for further evaluation – making this checkup essential in making sure your child grows and develops normally.

Information About Recent Outbreaks of Disease

Your pediatrician can provide you with information regarding outbreaks or illnesses circulating in your area, answer questions about staying healthy and suggest prevention methods tailored specifically for your child’s wellbeing. Furthermore, they will advise when seeking medical help is warranted in case your child shows any symptoms that could indicate illness. 

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Be sure to bring your child in for regular checkups, to ensure they receive the care necessary for a healthy development and lifelong happiness. When meeting with their pediatrician, discuss any concerns or ask any questions, ensuring the best care possible so they can ensure your child lives a full life!

Getting Your Mojo Back as an Exhausted Dad

You wake up to energetic and demanding children every single morning, which you wouldn’t change for the world. You make them breakfast, play with them tirelessly, try to keep the house in order and attempt to put them to bed after a busy and hectic day. There is no wonder that you’re feeling depleted as an exhausted Dad! Getting your mojo back could look different to everyone, so you need to think about where you would like to make improvements to your current lifestyle. Whether you want to get back into healthy cooking, or you need to start prioritizing sleep more often, there are a number of small lifestyle changes that will make a world of difference. Parents can often hit a brick wall when they are deep in the throes of parenting, but this is a sign that you need to take a break and think about yourself for a change.

Of course, your children will always be your number one priority, but they won’t live a joyful life if they have an exhausted father who has lost a piece of himself during the process of raising them. Remembering who you are as a person will always bring you back down to the ground and allow you to see the whole picture again. Getting your mojo back is totally achievable, as long as you are willing to step out of your comfort zone and make a change.

Consider some of the following ideas and you will soon feel positive and ready to bring back the old “you” again, even as a busy Dad!

Enjoy Some More “Me Time”

As a dad, “me time” comes very infrequently and you need to carve out time in your schedule to make it happen. Although it may not seem important at the time, it’s a vital part of resting and recharging and it will ultimately make you a better parent in the long run. Whether you’re reading a book or going out for a run, your self care time needs to be enjoyable to you.

Take a Break from Work

Remember those vacation days you keep meaning to take from work? Now would be the ideal time to use them up! If you’re the type of person who often puts off taking work breaks, you will slowly but surely grind yourself to the ground if you don’t take time to reset your system every now and again. Taking a week off of work will not only give you the freedom to rest and do what you enjoy, but it will also help you to get your mojo back.

Get More Sleep

Getting more sleep as a busy dad is much easier said than done, right? Whether you’ve got toddlers climbing into your bed at midnight or babies co-sleeping in your bedroom, there are no words to describe how much you treasure your sleep. Although it can be tempting to stay up later and enjoy that TV show you are hooked on, it makes more sense to get yourself to bed early and enjoy an hour or two more of sleep. Prioritizing this will help you to think more clearly and make better decisions, which will ultimately help you feel more like “you” again.

Consider Hormone Testing

Lack of energy or motivation can stem from a variety of different things, but it could be a deep-rooted health issue that you aren’t even aware of. If you have recently experienced signs of fatigue, low sex drive, weight gain or a depressed mood, it may be a sign of male hormone imbalance. Seeking out medical advice from a professional can help you diagnose the problem quickly and find a course of treatment that is effective for you. Although this might feel like a huge step to take, it will be worth it in the long run when you feel more energetic, enthusiastic and positive about everything in your life again.

Focus on Your Relationship

If you have a romantic partner, your lackluster attitude towards life may be because you haven’t spent enough quality time with your other half. Now would be the perfect time to go on a date night, spend real time together and refocus on what’s important to you both as a couple. As parents it’s so easy to get swept up into the whirlwind of having children that you forget your true connection and why you chose each other as life partners. Think about some fun activities you can do together and enjoy spending quality time as a pair again.

Try Meditation

When you meditate regularly, it can actually increase your energy levels and give you more clarity on who you are as a person. Allowing yourself to sit with your thoughts and feel the silence around you is a beautifully powerful thing that not enough people know about. Give it a try for yourself and you will be grateful you discovered meditation!

Hopefully, you can use some of the following ideas to change your normal routines and rediscover who you really are as a person. For so long you have worn the dad badge with pride, but you can’t forget who you are as an individual. Whether you’re nurturing your relationship with your partner more, starting a hobby that you have always loved or simply starting a new and enjoyable morning routine, there are so many different options you can try. Don’t be afraid to take a step back, ask for help and allow some time for yourself to grow as a person. Once you are back on track again, you will be so grateful for all of the positive steps you have made. 

All in all, being a dad is one of the most rewarding jobs you will ever do, but if you don’t have your unique mojo you won’t be the best parent you can be. Rediscovering your mojo again will help you to feel positive, energetic and joyful everytime you’re around your child which will benefit them immensely both now and in the distant future!

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