Children
Parents who choose heart healthy meals and activities for the children now are protecting them against heart disease later. Good nutrition and daily exercise, whether it is formal classes, organized sports of spontaneous play, all work against childhood obesity and its effects later.
Health
Teens that spend time volunteering are healthier, have lower cholesterol and report feeling more emphatic and altruistic than those who do not. Volunteering also raises self-esteem which can take some hits in the teenage years. It raises moods and increases awareness of those who are less fortunate. It also increases responsibility for the teen which they must learn as they grow older, attend college and land the first job.
Special needs kids might have sleep problems like difficulty staying asleep, night terrors and snoring. These can be caused by medication. Parents of special needs kids already know the sleep habits and problems of their children. But just in case someone else needs to know, here are some things which might help get the special one a good night rest: develop a regular time for bed and stick to it every night, develop a regular routine before bed, make the room a restful place and have the child sleep in the same place every night, put or send the child to be when they are sleepy yet not fully asleep, deflect anxiety as it is often a factor in sleep disorders with special needs kids.
Parents
Migraines are a pain for anyone who gets them and can cause a complete stoppage of all activities, including work. While there are many over-shelf-medications to ease the pain and many more prescribed by doctors, there is one remedy reported that is quite pleasurable - sex. Pleasure with your partner releases endorphins, the natural pain killers for the body, which can ease or get rid of the pain. So replace the pills with your love to get rid of a migraine or cluster headache.
America is the land of the super-sized plates and meals which do nothing more than add unneeded fat, calories and cholesterol. It is National Nutrition Month and it is time to take note of what is on your plate. Fruits, vegetables, grains and protein are valuable to maintaining a health body. The serving size for each is much less than what we get when we order at a restaurant. Healthcare professionals recommend asking for a take-home box and immediately putting half of the meal in it, and eat the half that is left on the plate. That is the size of a regular meal. Half of the plate should be filled with fruits, veggies and grains. Reduce the amount of salt, sodium and sugar in meals and drinks. Always check processed and frozen food packages for the amount of sodium in them. Be mindful of what goes into your mouth because it will eventually land on your hips, thighs, back-end and ankles. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, stay regular, and to flush out toxins.
Grandparents
Grandparents and aging parents have different needs in order to maintain wellness - both physical and mental. Fortunately, there is a lot going on for them to stay healthy and happy.
Regular exercise focusing on strength, balance, stretching and endurance helps prevents falls which is a main cause for broken bones. Joining classes and social groups keeps single seniors happy and less likely to center attention to their loss. Another fun idea to keep their moods up and help them improve hand to eye coordination is to invite them to play a video game with you or the kids.
Free health screenings under the new Affordable Health Care Act are especially good for the older generation. Some of included are: a free wellness exam every year, bone mass measurement, flu shots, pap tests and pelvic tests, breast cancer screenings. There are other tests which have a low fee and they are: cardiovascular screenings (the test is free, doctor visit is not), colon cancer screenings, diabetes testing, glaucoma testing, and prostate cancer screenings. As always, check with your doctor if you think any of these screenings or tests should be taken. Grandparents and older parents are special and hold the key to our past. Be sure to take time with them and ask about their childhoods and life experiences. Write down or record what they say. This is a history lesson which will disappear when they are gone. Learn from them, love them and respect them. They have experienced much more in their lifetimes than the rest of us can imagine.
Health News for the Entire Family
Rebecca writes on a variety of health topics. Senior wellness is one topic she loves to share.