Manchester Life 2018 | Page 79

Mind your personal clock. Whether you’re a morning person or a night owl, try to work out when you have the most energy. Exercising in your high energy time will be more enjoyable and will yield better results. Get motivated. If you’re not a natural born exerciser, find ways to stay motivated. That may mean working out with a friend or calling in a trainer to help you set goals and stay on task. CHILDREN’S HEALTH Use fluoride from the start. To help prevent tooth decay in children, the American Dental Association recommends caregivers use a small smear (think grain of rice-sized) of fluoride toothpaste to brush baby teeth twice daily as soon as they emerge. Increase the amount to pea- sized once children are 3 to 6 years old. Dr. Michael Brady, SVMC Dentistry Keep kids fueled. Children’s metabolisms are faster than adults which means they need more frequent meals. Too few calories throughout the day can contribute to behavioral problems and the inability to maintain focus. Avoid secondhand smoke. Secondhand smoke increases a child's risk of SIDS, bronchitis, ear infections, and asthma and may also affect intelligence and neurological development. Guard against ticks. Avoid wooded and bushy areas and those with tall grass or leaf litter. And use a repellent that contains 20 percent or more DEET, picaridin, or IR3535 on exposed skin. Guard against germs. To help keep your kids’ immune systems strong, wash their hands often— and with soap. Pay particular attention to their hygiene before and after each meal and after playing outside, handling pets, blowing their nose, using the bathroom, and arriving home from day care. Dr. Michael Thwing, SVMC Pediatrics Be a good role model. When your kids see you making healthy food choices and exercising, they’re learning that good health and habits are important to your family. Dr. Suk Namoong and Samuel Smith, PA-C, SVMC Orthopedics special Southwestern Vermont Health Care supplement 77