SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION : HEALTH & WELLNESS
• Protect them – Hand hygiene , face coverings , and social distancing are the best defense whenever being home isn ’ t an option .
• Encourage them – Provide opportunities for kids to connect with friends and loved ones . Whether it ’ s outdoors or over a video call , spending quality time having fun is important for overall health .
• Teach them – Give them the tools they need to know how to stop the spread , identify symptoms , and cope with ever-changing routines . It hasn ’ t been easy to adapt during the pandemic , but it ’ s important to make sure they feel protected during this time .
STAYING SAFE WHEN YOU GO TO THE DENTIST
Many dentists are encouraging patients to maintain oral health through the pandemic and have safety measures in place . Be sure to self-monitor for any COVID-19 symptoms before leaving the house , and to cancel any upcoming appointments if symptoms do arise .
When you call to make your dental appointment , ask what measures are in place to keep you safe during your visit . Many offices request that you stay in your car until you are called to enter for your appointment , to prevent patients from gathering in the lobby area . Once you ’ re called into the office , be sure to keep your
mask on until you ’ re in your exam room and asked to remove it .
Rest assured that all chairs , countertops , and equipment are thoroughly cleaned between patients . Your dentist and the staff will have all the protective equipment on that is required , much of which they wore even before the pandemic . Once your appointment ends , be sure to use hand sanitizer as a precaution until you get home to wash your hands .
FOOD AND NUTRITION DURING SELF-QUARANTINE
Cooking dinner is likely the last thing you want to think about recently , but providing healthful meals for you and your family is important . At the beginning of the pandemic , panic buying hit its peak , with not one roll of toilet paper left on the shelves . Thankfully , bulk buying has slowed , allowing for less waste and more opportunity to find the materials or ingredients you need .
If you haven ’ t in the past , meal planning is a great way to strategically purchase only the ingredients you need , lowering your bill and limiting waste . Find recipes with fresh fruits and vegetables that are in season . Frozen works well too , but try to avoid canned foods that are high in sodium . Does the thought of grocery shopping give you a weak stomach ? Try meal delivery options that provide fresh ingredients or ready-to-cook meals delivered to your door . Or you can support your local restaurants with takeout or delivery !
Whatever you decide , be sure to limit intake of salt , sugar , unhealthy fats , and alcohol , while getting enough fiber , water , and fruits and vegetables . Overall , try to find a new routine in the current environment . Who knows , maybe cooking will become a new hobby !
SLEEP YOUR WAY TO A HEALTHIER YOU
By now , you ’ ve most likely heard the news on the numerous benefits of sleep on overall health . From improving brain function to assisting in weight loss , getting the recommended hours of sleep fit for your age is essential to staying healthy .
The message is loud and clear to adults , who still fight sleep to watch late-night television or finish one more chapter of a good book . You may let children do the same : stay up to finish homework or to play a little while longer . You may think you are making your kids happy with the extra time awake , but the effects are ultimately hurting their ability to fully function during the day .
The National Sleep Foundation recommends that children between the ages of 6 and 10 get 10 to 11 hours of sleep per night , while 11- to 17-year-olds should get 8.5 to 9.5 hours . A poll done by the foundation last year revealed that children were falling short and losing out on the benefits of a good night ’ s sleep .
Research shows that less sleep leads to learning and behavior problems , directly affecting cognitive ability , concentration , and problem-solving skills . Many families have seen the negative effects and often assume they are symptoms of ADHD , when these distracting behaviors could likely be reduced or even eliminated by an earlier bedtime .
Make Sleep Matter
• Set bedtimes and wake times . You can start to make sleep a higher priority for your kids by setting a good example and getting enough sleep yourself . Start by setting bedtimes and wake-up times that you can adhere to on both weekdays and weekends . Creating a pattern will help your body understand
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