Are you worried that your child is starting to get unfit and developing an unhealthy lifestyle? You might be interested in ways that you can correct this and there a few quick possibilities to consider.
There is plenty of tech available on the market that will help ensure that your kids stay healthy and fit. This is all about keeping them moving with some experts suggesting that staying still for too long can be just as damaging to your health as smoking. VR and AR games are a great option here. A couple years ago, Pokemon Go had everyone on the street searching for digital pocket monsters.
Alternatively, games like Jedi Training will have kids swinging around a virtual lightsaber, fighting classic Star Wars enemies. It doesn’t take much time to learn that this is quite an intense workout. You might even want to try it yourself if you’ve always dreamed of going one to one with Darth Vader.
Of course, for older kids, you can also consider tech like a Fit Bit. It’s quite fun to use resources like this to keep on top of your fitness and find out just how much exercise you are getting through the day.
Find A Sport They Love
It’s easy to assume that your kid just isn’t a sporty individual if they haven’t immediately gravitated towards a team or activity in school. However, this might not be the case. It’s possible that they simply haven’t yet discovered the sport that they enjoy. There are lots of options here from swimming to football and even skiing. You’ll only figure out if a sport is for them by helping them give it a go. Try to give them as many opportunities as you can because you never know when you might find a sport that becomes a passion.
Don’t forget, getting involved in sports won’t just help them with levels of fitness. It can also be a fantastic benefit for them later in life as well. Once you find a sport they love you can kit them out and save money at the same time with things like a Dicks Sporting Goods coupon. Remember, staying fit doesn’t have to be expensive.
Join In
A child is far more likely to exercise and run around if you join in with them. This is particularly true for younger children who will love spending time with you and playing games. This is why it’s important for you to stay fit and healthy as well. You need to make sure that you have the energy to engage in all these different types of activities.
You might even want to consider setting points through the week where the whole family can get together and get active. There is even strength training available for little ones with experts suggesting that it could be highly beneficial.
Lifestyle Choices
Last but not least, you can help ensure that fitness is a part of a child’s daily routine. Introduce quick, fast workouts through the day. Exercising when you wake up in the morning is a great way to make sure that you are building up energy the right way.
Did you know the Friday before Memorial Day is National Sunscreen Day (aka “Don’t Fry Day”)?
I used to forgo sunscreen all of the time. Going Mom would always get on to me about needing to protect my skin, but I would just wave it off and go about my day ignorant to how the sun affects me. At least I played it safe for my kids when they were babies and kept them covered our Onya Baby carrier.
Covering our precious cargo before walking with the original sunscreen.
If sunscreen were food, I would’ve spent hours researching it trying to decide what is good, what’s bad, and the ingredients that make it so, but this is an area I overlooked. Anyone who knows me, knows I’m very peculiar about what I eat, but I need to be more aware of other things that threaten my health as well. Like, for instance, sunscreen!
After a run…..and no sunscreen.
Kelley did her research and bought Organic Badger Baby Sunscreen to put on Avery. You’d think I would’ve just put some on myself at the same time, but that’s part of my stubbornness.
I hate rubbing it in because it gets caught in my arm and leg hair too much. Good reason, right? Since my dear wife is persistent about getting me to use sunscreen (I guess she loves me or something!), I thought I’d be smart and just buy a spray version; problem solved!
Nope, problem not solved! Now she was on to me about how bad the spray kinds are, especially for kids! Well crap, will I ever get it right?! I blindly argued that there’s no difference even though I had no clue about sunscreens. Kelley, on the other hand, had been reading several sources on the subject.
Needless to say, Kelley sent me links to prove why certain sunscreens are harmful and I finally admitted defeat. Note to self, don’t argue about things you have no clue about for so long; it gets you nowhere! Double note to self; just don’t argue with your wife….EVER!
I promptly returned the toxic spray sunscreen.
Here’s a quote from the link Kelley sent me regarding sunscreens:
Could nanoparticles cause internal damage if they penetrate skin or are inhaled? Yes. Though sunscreen lotions do not pose penetration concerns, inhalation of nanoparticles particles is dangerous for many reasons. EWG strongly discourages the use of powder or spray sunscreens using titanium dioxide or zinc oxide of any particle size.
Now, on to the question of this post; is sunscreen safe for kids? Like most answers out there, yes and no. There hasn’t been enough research to definitely say sunscreen is harmful, but the effects are greater on a babies than older children and adults.
From what I read, it’s best not to apply sunscreen to babies under 6 months and to avoid the sun as much as possible. Sorry, Avery, we already messed up there. Forgive us, please?
The FDA has an informative post on the topic of sunscreen for babies along with useful tips on keeping baby safe in the sun.
Keep your baby in the shade as much as possible.
Consult your pediatrician before using any sunscreen on your baby. If you do use a small amount of sunscreen on your baby, don’t assume the child is well protected.
Make sure your child wears clothing that covers and protects sensitive skin. Use common sense; if you hold the fabric against your hand and it’s so sheer that you can see through it, it probably doesn’t offer enough protection.
Make sure your baby wears a hat that provides sufficient shade at all times.
Watch your baby carefully to make sure he or she doesn’t show warning signs of sunburn or dehydration. These include fussiness, redness and excessive crying.
Hydrate! Give your baby formula or breast milk if you’re out in the sun for more than a few minutes. Don’t forget to use a cooler to store the liquids.
Take note of how much your baby is urinating. If it’s less than usual, it may be a sign of dehydration, and that more fluids are needed until the flow is back to normal.
Avoid combination sunscreens containing insect repellants like DEET. Young children may lick their hands or put them in their mouths. According to the AAP, DEET should not be used on infants less than 2 months old.
If you do notice your baby is becoming sunburned, get out of the sun right away and apply cold compresses to the affected areas.
Unlike chemical-based sunscreens that are absorbed into the skin, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide sit on top of the skin. A benefit of this, besides not soaking into your skin (did you know your skin is your biggest organ and absorbs so many chemicals each day?), is that they start working upon application. The chemical kind needs 15 – 20 minutes to allow time for absorption before they begin to protect.
An article on BabyCenter.com explains this in detail and is yet another post worth reading. As mentioned in the article, never trust the label on products and make sure to scrutinize the list of ingredients. Hey, that’s like I do with food; now we’re talking my language!
The takeaway from all of this can be summarized in a few bullet points:
If possible, avoid exposing a baby under 6 months to the sun altogether.
If not possible, keep baby under shade and/or use a sunscreen with only zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as the main ingredient.
Do not, under any circumstances use a spray sunblock on yourself or baby.
Don’t trust the labels! Please read the ingredients and know what you are slathering all over yourself and your precious child!
I’m an idiot for doubting my wife and taking so long to acknowledge that she was right.
Thank you, Kelley, for “exposing” me to the reality of sunscreen! Now we’re having fun in the sun and keeping safe!
Please, have fun and keep yourself and your little ones safe out there!
Developing healthy habits in the workplace is a mental venture as well as a physical one. It’s important to be in the right frame of mind to reach your full potential, and this can be affected by all manner of different triggers.
Every good day starts with a healthy breakfast! You need to begin with a nutritious, carb-focused and protein filled meal to give you the energy to work through until lunch, and avoid giving into unhealthy sugary snacks or caffeinated drinks. If you have time in the morning, whip up an omelette, make some fresh porridge or blend some of your favorite fruit and vegetables together to make a smoothie. If you’re usually in a rush, grab some fruit and greek yogurt, or prepare some overnight oats before you go to bed to eat on the go. Snacking at work is commonplace, and it’s likely your colleagues will be around to offer temptations. By giving into the treats, your body will get an instant rush of sugar, but this won’t last long. You will slump shortly after when its dispersed and has been absorbed, and you’ll be left feeling lethargic and peckish until you get another bite. To combat these types of cravings, ensure you bring more nutritious options to work of your own – some great and easy options include carrot or celery sticks with hummus, sweet or salted popcorn, or any portions of your 5-a-day. When it comes to eating lunch at work, its best to plan ahead and make something of your own. Shop bought meals are often very high in salt and fat, so opting for a healthy homemade dish will keep your energy levels stable until it’s time to go home. However, don’t forget to treat yourself every now and again. After all, you deserve a reward for working so hard!
Stay Hydrated
There is nothing more important for the human body than drinking water. It’s so easy to lose track of how much of the clear stuff you’ve had to drink each day, but even slight dehydration can leave you feeling nauseous and fatigued. The human brain is made of around 75% water – by not drinking enough your circulation is forced to slow meaning less oxygen can travel around the body, and to the brain. This can most certainly have an affect on your mood, leaving you unfocused and foggy. To combat these symptoms, you should aim to consume around 8 glasses (2 Litres) of water each day, and a simple way to check your hydration levels is by passing urine: a light colour means you’re doing fine. If you’re not so keen on the taste of water on its own, try adding a sugar-free fruit cordial to give it more flavour, or some refreshing herbs and fruit wedges such as mint and lemon or lime.
Be Active
If you work in an office or in front of a computer, it’s essential that you get outside to exercise and give your eyes and lungs a much needed break. Sitting down at a desk shroud by artificial light and air conditioning all day can leave you feeling lethargic and slow, but going for a brisk walk or heading to the gym after work will release endorphins making you feel more energised. The same endorphins (medically known as Serotonin) can relieve symptoms of anxiety and depression, and make stress much easier to handle. Much like drinking enough water, doing regular cardio increases blood flow to the brain, leaving you more alert and focused. It also helps your body in gaining the vital strength it needs to fight off any illness or disease, meaning less sick days and better long term productivity. If you find yourself seated for most of the day, stand up and stretch as frequently as possible – run on the spot to encourage blood flow and stretch your back and neck regularly to avoid aches and pains from bad posture.
Know When To Switch Off
Sometimes it’s hard to find a good work-life balance. Problems aren’t always left at the desk; they can follow you home and whirl around your mind whilst you lay in bed, stopping you from sleeping and making you feel like your shifts never end. One of the easiest ways of separating work from home is by having a simple ‘end of shift’ routine. Washing up your coffee cup, switching off your laptop and moving any documents out of sight can send an effective signal to the brain that you are no longer on the job, helping you to wind down and focus on relaxation. Use the time of your home commute – listen to an audio book or some calming music and choose a quieter more scenic route. It’s necessary for your body to get at least 7 hours of sleep each night; meditation is a wonderful way of cleansing the mind of the days worries, and can give you a clear mindset to drift off with more ease.
What To Do If It All Goes Wrong
Illness can strike at any time, no matter how much effort you put into your health and nutrition. It’s essential to have a plan in place if something unexpected were to happen, as workplaces are not always sympathetic in situations of absence. Getting health insurance should be a top priority, as it will give you peace of mind if anything were to happen and also give you the necessary means to survive a break from employment. Make sure you let your boss know about any health problems you have when you start your job, as this can help them to help you. Let them know of any medication you need, so they can give any details to assist in an emergency situation.
Hopefully these useful tips will aid you in staying healthy and happy at work, allowing you to thrive and do your job to the best of your ability whilst maintaining good energy levels and handling stress appropriately!
An at-home dad on a mission to keep it real when it comes to food, fun, and raising a healthy, happy family.
