HEALTH & WELLNESS S P E C I A L S E C T I O N
Kids’
Health
• Stop the spread of germs – Sanitizing frequently touched surfaces (door
handles, sinks, countertops) and handwashing can help combat the spread
of germs to other family members. Providing sick children with a comfy
space to recover, away from other children, can help prevent contamination
of highly trafficked areas of the home.
• Stay moisturized in dry weather – Try limiting bath time and make
sure the water isn’t too hot. Follow your bathtime routine with an
ointment or cream, instead of lotion. Most lotions have added ingredients,
including fragrances and alcohols, which can cause skin irritation. Opt for
something as simple as petroleum jelly or a mineral oil to lock in moisture
throughout the day.
• Keep up with vitamin D – Vitamin D helps the body take in calcium and
build strong bones as well as fight infection, and plays a role in heart health.
But, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, a majority of the
population is vitamin D deficient. Wintertime can bring on less outdoor play
(meaning less exposure to sunlight) and most don’t receive enough vitamin
D through diet alone. Talk to your child’s health care provider for proper
supplement dosage amounts.
• Keep moving – Bundle up to go outside and sled ride or go for a walk.
Blowing bubbles isn’t just for the summertime, and if it’s cold enough,
they will freeze! You can also set up activities inside the house to keep kids
occupied, or look to your local community center for fun indoor activities.
• Stay hydrated – According to a study published by Medicine and Science in
Sports and Exercise, exposure to cold temperatures can lessen your body’s
response to thirst. Dehydration can lead to fatigue, headaches, and make
children more susceptible to illness. Serve warm drinks such as soup broths
or warm cider after being in the cold, and always have water available.
• Dress in layers – Babies and children should be dressed in one more layer
of clothing than an adult. Packing on too many additional layers can cause
sweating, making your child colder! Start with a moisture-wicking base
layer, followed by wool, down, or fleece and a water/wind-resistant outer
layer for optimal warmth.
• Get some Zzs – An adequate amount of sleep is important for everyone,
especially when you’re sick. Offer quiet activities such as books, puzzles,
coloring, or a movie to allow for some much-needed downtime. Encourage
naps when possible to increase resting time.
• Skip sharing (food and drinks) – Encourage your kids to wash their hands
before lunch to limit germs spreading to food. Also, remind your children
to keep their hands from touching their face and the faces
of others.
• Elbow trick – Teach kids to turn
their heads to sneeze or cough
into a tissue or into their elbow to
limit the spread of germs.
• Know when outdoor play is
safe. Green Zone: 30 degrees
or higher – Safe to play outside
with layers, but come inside
to warm up every 40 minutes.
Yellow Zone: 20-30 degrees – Take
caution to monitor children for
signs of shivering and come
inside every 20-30 minutes.
Red Zone: Below 20 degrees
– Stay inside!
with optimistic attitudes have higher
odds of having ideal cardiovascular health
when compared to pessimistic people.
The study analyzed “the mental health,
levels of optimism, and physical health of
5,100 adults ranging from 45 to 84 years
of age. Heart health scores—based on
American Heart Association-approved
metrics, including blood pressure and
body mass index—increased right
alongside optimism levels.” So when
you’re feeling down, remember that
staying positive affects more than just
your day, so keep your head up and your
heart happy.
Digestion
Digestive issues affect all of us at one
time or another. From upset stomach,
gas, and heartburn, to constipation
and diarrhea, digestive problems are
painful and embarrassing. Some of the
most common are:
• Food Intolerance – Often confused
with food allergy, food intolerance
likely allows you to eat a small amount
of an offending food without any
issues (while a food allergy could be
life-threatening). Causes of intolerance
include celiac disease, sensitivity
to food additives, food toxins, and
absence of an enzyme needed to fully
digest a food.
• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
(GERD) – A chronic digestive disease,
GERD is defined as experiencing
acid reflux and heartburn at least
twice a week. It affects 20 percent of
Americans and can cause persistent
bad breath, tooth erosion, nausea, and
pain in the chest or upper abdomen, or
it can make swallowing and breathing
hard to do.
• Hemorrhoids – Hemorrhoids are
inflamed blood vessels found at the end
of your digestive tract. Often painful
and itchy, they are caused by chronic
constipation, diarrhea, or a lack of fiber
in your diet. Seventy-five percent of
Americans over the age of 45 suffer
from hemorrhoids. Staying hydrated,
eating more fiber, or over-the-counter
creams may provide relief from
hemorrhoids.
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) –
Affecting 15 percent of Americans, IBS
is characterized by stomach pain or
discomfort at least three times a month
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