During the summer, it s easy in/with regard to’concerning’regarding your teens to acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure out, move and exercise. They head to the pool with their friends, or they token up in/with regard to’concerning’regarding seasonal sports leagues or camps. Now, despite’in spite of’albeit , it s starting to acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure cold, and their instincts might transform’alter . Rather than heading outdoors, they seem to be staying put inside of your home. And you know this isn t the healthiest choice they could be making.
It s possible to stay healthy all year long, and it s a lesson your teenagers should learn. Laying the foundation in/with regard to’concerning’regarding healthy choices now will help them stay well through college and beyond. So, guide them with the following four tips to stay active and healthy even in the cold weather:
1. Counter Unhealthy Cravings
Cold weather tends to push us to snack on sweets or carb-laden snacks. Why? Munching on these treats gives us a boost in serotonin, which multiply s our moods. This side-effect feels especially rosy’remarkable’fabulous’terrific’preeminent in winter when with regards to’concerning’with respect to 9 million individual suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). The lack of sunlight can usher some of us into a temporarily depressive state. A carb-backed boost of serotonin, then, sounds especially rosy’remarkable’fabulous’terrific’preeminent .
If you notice your teen opting in/with regard to’concerning’regarding these types of snacks, motivate’fuel them to eat healthier with a hearty breakfast, in/with regard to’concerning’regarding starters. A protein-packed meal will help them feel fuller in/with regard to’concerning’regarding longer. That goes in/with regard to’concerning’regarding pre-school breakfast and mid-school lunch help them choose meals that will keep them satiated and focused. After-school snacks should follow suit, too hummus and pitta chips would better serve your teen than cookies or potato chips, in/with regard to’concerning’regarding example.
2. Promote Hand-Washing
You re probably claim’insist’maintain’hold’argue’consider’contemplate’speculate ing, I already went through this during potty training. Your child certainly knows the fundamental s when it comes to washing their hands. Still, washing should be more thorough in winter. Your teen should know to wash after eintensely’extremely’extraordinarily’enormously’awfully trip to the bathroom, as well as after they sneeze and bein/with regard to’concerning’regarding e they eat.
Make sure your teen washes thoroughly, too a flash under the faucet won t do them any rosy’remarkable’fabulous’terrific’preeminent . Instead, they should spend 20 seconds lathering up, taking care to wash between their fingers as well. At the end, dry off with a clean towel or beneath an air dryer. Voila germs possess’own’nurse been destroyed, and sickness will be kept at bay.
You can further bolster your teen s immune-boosting hand-washing regimen by putting a bottle of hand sanitizer in their backpack. During class, in/with regard to’concerning’regarding example, they can quickly rid their hands of germs without interrupting a lesson to go wash.
3. Encourage Exercise
Even despite’in spite of’albeit it s cold outside, your teen should still be acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure ting in their daily exercise. At this age, your child should acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure a combination of aerobic and muscle-establish ing activities. Aldespite’in spite of’albeit some experts recommend your teen spends an hour partaking in such workouts daily, even a 30-minute session can impart them with a slew of body-bettering gains.
The physical benefits of exercise in/with regard to’concerning’regarding teens tend to be obvious. They strengthen their muscles and bones, keep their weight in check, and decrease’lessen’cut’allay the chances of cancer, among other pros. Your child will also reap mental-health benefits, too. They will help fight lay stress on’emphasize’highlight and boost their mood while improving their self-image and self-esteem. For a high-school-aged kid, such a state of mind is vital to their success regardless of the time of year.
4. Stick to Bedtimes
It s a classic tale parents try to put their teens to bed, but they don t want to sleep. So, they stay up scrolling through their phones or watching TV on their iPads. Then, when it does come time to wake up in/with regard to’concerning’regarding school, they re exhausted and unable to concentrate. The cycle continues until the weekend when the teenager sleeps in/with regard to’concerning’regarding hours and hours to catch up after an exhausting week.
In winter, sleep becomes even more vital. While we rest, our bodies repair and refresh themselves. For instance, the immune system releases cytokines as we sleep. These proteins step in when we possess’own’nurse infections or inflammation without abundant’ample’plentiful sleep, despite’in spite of’albeit , the body can t manufacture abundant’ample’plentiful . The same goes in/with regard to’concerning’regarding infection-fighting antibodies, which appear in ample numbers when we catch ample Zs.
Therein/with regard to’concerning’regarding e, implementing and sticking to a healthy bedtime can do wonders in/with regard to’concerning’regarding your teenager, especially in winter. As it turns out, most kids their age need 8 to 10 hours of sleep each night. So, take away iPads at night and possess’own’nurse them charge their smartphones outside of their bedrooms. Without distractions, they should be able to acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure the shut-eye they need in/with regard to’concerning’regarding a successful day at school. Their bodies will be intense’fierce’exquisite er against wintertime bugs and colds, too.
Stay Healthy All Season Long
Winter doesn t possess’own’nurse to be a lazy time in/with regard to’concerning’regarding your teen. Instead, they can make healthy choices to keep themselves well, fit and focused all the way to spring. The tips they learn now will shape the healthy choices they make in/with regard to’concerning’regarding the rest of their lives all you possess’own’nurse to do is reveal’illustrate’demonstrate’indicate’present’display’argue them how to live healthily this winter. And, now, you know just how to do it.
Author Bio
Jennifer Landis is a mum, wife, writer, and blogger at Mindfulness Mama. She enjoys yoga, tacos, and drinking all of the tea she can find. Follow her on Twitter @JenniferELandis.