6 Daily Healthy Back-to-School Habits for Kids
October 2nd marks National Child Health Day — focusing on improving wellness among families and their children. This week on the Vibrant Health blog, we’re sharing six back-to-school habits to instill in your kids to keep them healthy and strong!
6 Healthy Fall Habits for Kids
- Start the Day with an Energizing Breakfast
- Pack a Healthy Lunch
- Encourage Mindfulness
- Limit Screen Time
- Spend Time Outside in Nature
- Move Your Body
1. Start the Day with an Energizing Breakfast
School mornings can be chaotic — racing to get out of the house and catch the bus in time. However, that doesn’t mean you should skimp on breakfast! Take time to eat a simple, energizing breakfast — such a make-ahead baked egg muffins, oatmeal or a nutrient-rich smoothie or smoothie bowl.
2. Pack a Healthy Lunch
When in doubt, prepare your kiddos’ lunch yourself, so you can control exactly what’s going into their lunchbox. Bento box style lunch boxes are a great eco-friendly option, making it easy to portion out a variety of healthy items — such as sliced fruit, veggies, whole grain crackers and protein (like a nut butter sandwich or turkey roll-ups). And be sure to pack a reusable water bottle for your child to hydrate throughout the day!
3. Encourage Mindfulness
Shaking up the routine by going back to school can bring upon a lot of big feelings for little ones, so be sure to make time for mindful moments — encouraging slowing down and being present. You can practice mindfulness activities with your children at home through belly breathing, positive affirmations or simply sharing something you’re grateful for around the dinner table. Check out the “Mindful & Magical Me” Kids Inspiration Deck for more kid-friendly ideas!
4. Limit Screen Time
Statistics show 87% of children exceed screen time recommendations, which has been linked to a number of health issues including sleep issues, anxiety and increased risk of depression. While there’s no harm popping on a show to wind down, do your best to keep screen time to a minimum.
5. Spend Time Outside in Nature
A great way to reduce screen time usage is by unplugging in nature! Make it a point to get outside with your children daily — even if it’s just for 20 minutes. Whether it’s playing in the yard or going on a nature walk, time outside will do you and your kiddos a whole lot of good.
6. Move Your Body
Regular physical activity has been shown to not only reduce childhood obesity, but also improve cognitive function in children. Win, win! Have fun while keeping your kids active by signing them up for a sport they’re interested in, going for a walk together after school, registering for a Family Fun Run or having a good, ol’ fashioned dance party in the kitchen!
DISCLAIMER: This information is not intended as a substitute for advice provided by a competent health care professional. You should not use this information in diagnosing or treating a health problem. No claim or opinion in this blog is intended to be, nor should be construed to be, medical advice. If you are now taking any drugs, prescribed or not, or have a medical condition, please consult a competent physician who is aware of herb/drug interactions before taking any herbal supplements. The information presented herein has not been evaluated by the FDA or the Department of Health and is not intended to diagnose, prevent, cure, mitigate or treat any disease or illness.
