Back to School

Football is back, Labor Day is fast approaching, and school beckons.  It’s back to school time!  Playtime is over!  I hear parents everywhere breathing a sigh of relief wile their children moan.   As summer ends and fall begins, and children return to school, it’s time to think about the health of the entire family including: immunizations, heat safety, exercise, and food.

Children have their shots for the new year, are your immunizations up-to-date?  Shots are not just for children.  Adults and the elderly need an annual flu shot to prevent spreading virus to family and co-workers and missing days at work.  Grandparents have you had your pneumonia and shingles (zoster) vaccines?   Whooping cough (pertusis) is back.  There are whooping cough outbreaks in communities across the country.  Adults talk to your physician about getting a pertusis booster which protects infants, in particular from risk of death.

If you have allergies to bees/wasp stings, is your epi pen current?  Make certain you have refills of daily medications. You don’t want to run out of blood pressure meds, asthma inhalers, or birth control pills -  it’s bad for your health.  Make your life easier, have your medications mailed to your home.

In many parts of the country it’s still hot out, so heat safety is important.  As children return to school encourage drinking water and playing in the shade to prevent heat stroke.  Having a piece of fruit with breakfast is easy and tasty source of water.  Put sunscreen on children as they leave the house and tuck hats in backpacks and encourage their use at recess.

Summer fruits and vegetables are still plentiful and create a colorful, healthy plate.   You really are what you eat.  Remember to eat 9 fruits and/or vegetables every day.  Pack your favorite fruit in lunch bags along with carrots, celery, jicama, or sugar snap peas, for an interesting twist on lunch.   Freeze beverages or include freezable ice packs to keep food cold.  Avoid lunches with mayo-based sauces and spreads since they can easily become warm and cause diarrhea and vomiting.   After school snacks are another opportunity for more fruit or veggies.  Make sure children drink water when they come in from playing. Jazz up water with citrus fruit or cucumbers to add a bit of interest.  Oranges, plums, and celery are good sources of vitamins and water.  

School schedules can help jumpstart your workout routine and involve the entire family.  Walk 10,000 steps every day.  Use the “medicine” of a daily walk with your family, to reduce amount of traditional medications you take.  Initiate evening family walks to reconnect with each other.

Studies show that families, who dine together eat more fiber and vegetables.  Plus children get better grades and have reduced rates of substance abuse in adolescene.   Create a tech-free meal policy - no cell phone, iPad, or Gameboy - fosters conversations and strengthens the family unity.  Family meals are a perfect time to reconnect at the end of the day and stay engaged in the lives of your children.  Be well.