Healthy Tips for Back-to-School

As summer comes to a close, following countless enjoyable days at the lake and leisurely afternoons by the pool, we are eagerly anticipating the start of the school year. Like many parents, we often find ourselves deviating from our usual routines during the summer months, with later bedtimes, more lenient screen time policies, and a generally more relaxed attitude towards healthy living. However, when the school year begins, I recognize the necessity to recalibrate and restore structure. This period presents an excellent opportunity to equip children for success with several practical and straightforward strategies.

Children need plenty of rest:

• Dim the lights or use a nightlight, this helps set a calm, sleepy mood.

• Turn off screens at least an hour before bed. Screens can stimulate the brain and make it harder to wind down. Stick to reading before bed, it's a calm activity that helps kids relax and creates a cozy bonding moment.

• Install blackout shades. Keep early morning or late evening light out for a more consistent sleep schedule.

• Add a sound machine, which blocks outdoor noises, distractions, older siblings, or rowdy pets.

Invest in quality lunch gear:

• Sturdy lunchboxes or bento boxes: Tight-fitting lids keep everything in its place.

• Temperature controlled containers or lunchboxes: To keep cold food cold and hot food hot. Ice packs are a must. They keep food fresh until lunchtime rolls around or if their lunchbox isn’t insulated.

• Mini leak-proof containers: Perfect for dressings, dips, or sauces without the fear of them spilling over into everything else.

• Stainless-steel and leakproof water bottles: Durable, easy-to-clean bottles that don’t leak and keeps water cold.

Keep germs away:

• Give them their own special soap. Colorful, sparkly, or foaming soap makes handwashing something to look forward to.

• Attach mini hand sanitizer to their backpack: A fun, convenient way to keep hands squeaky clean when sinks aren’t nearby.

• Give them a fun timer, like an hourglass or mini stopwatch to make washing hands for the full 20 seconds playful and visual.