6 Ways to Support Your Child’s Health and Wellbeing
Parents around the world have developed a
deeper understanding of the holistic nature of our childrens’ health and
wellbeing. It’s been a long period of uncertainty, restrictions on the things
they love, less time spent building up immunity to the usual colds and flus
and, just like many adults, less exercise and a more forgiving approach to
nutrition.
All of this takes its toll over time. We
weren’t aware how long the restrictions would last, which makes this year’s
back to school season the ideal time to put optimal health at the top of the
agenda.
NUTRITION
Nutrition is more important than ever, and opting for a whole foods diet that is low in sugar and processed foods is key. Processed foods are filled with excess sugar, preservatives, and other additives. They often contain lower quality oils such as canola, peanut, soy and sunflower that can contribute to inflammation when cooked at high temperatures.
A diet high in processed or “boxed” foods can all wreak havoc on children’s gut microbiome, overall health and immune system resilience, and may even contribute to the development of food sensitivities and allergies.
KID FRIENDLY HEALTHY EATING
We recommend focusing on the following guidelines for a kid friendly, nutrient dense whole foods diet:
A Whole Foods Diet:
● Eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, making sure to include greens, broccoli, cauliflower and berries
● Reduce meat and substitute with legumes such as lentils, chickpeas and beans
● Include some wild fish and grass fed meat
● Swap refined sugars for maplesyrup, blackstrap molasses, honey and/or healthy alternatives such as stevia or monk fruit powder
● Eliminate refined (white) grains altogether, opting for whole grains such as brown rice, quinoa, buckwheat, rye and sprouted whole grain bread
● Stick to fermented dairy such as yoghurt or kefir
● Replace table salt with sea salt which contains more minerals and no additives
Whole Food Snack Ideas
● Carrots, celery, snap peas or cucumber with bean dip, hummus or baba ghanoush
● Pitted, halved olives
● Fresh fruit
● Air-popped popcorn
● Vegetable based or whole grain crackers (look out for sweet potato crackers as a yummy option)
● Seeds, nuts and their butters (check for no sugar, no additives)
● Homemade baked goods made with whole grains and sweetened with unrefined sweeteners
If your child is a picky eater, be patient while transitioning to a whole foods diet. Start small and serve new foods along with your kid’s favorites. Stick with it and continue to serve the healthier choices until they become a natural part of your kid’s routine, and don’t forget that modeled behavior is learned faster (ie eat your veggies too!)
MENTAL HEALTH
The ongoing stress, uncertainty and grief created by the Covid 19 pandemic, political instability and global warming has weighed heavily on families across the globe. The American Psychological Association reports that more than 80% of adults have reported emotions associated with prolonged stress. The most common were feelings of anxiety (47%), sadness (44%) and anger (39%). 67% respondents reported that the number of issues America is facing is overwhelming to them.
This stress has inevitably been passed on to our children: from living with parents dealing with unprecedented stressors, the effects of financial instability, adapting to distancing rules at school and the realities of remote learning, social isolation and the uncertainty of the future.
What Does Childhood Anxiety Look Like?
It’s not always easy to recognize the signs of anxiety in children. Some kids are able to express their own stress and uncertainty, others aren’t. Here are some red flags to pay attention to:
· Changes in mood that are unusual for your child
· Increased fussiness or irritability
· Frequent conflict or tantrums
· Excessive shyness
· Excessive worry
· Changes in eating patterns: eating much more or much less
· Rapid heart rate
· Difficulties falling and staying asleep at night
· Stomach aches and digestive issues
· Trembling or shaking
· Headaches
· Lethargy
· Compulsive behaviour
· Refusing to socialize
· Extreme thinking or concluding the worst will happen
There are many approaches that can be used to address your kid’s anxiety, however, it’s important to do so without reinforcing it. Being cognizant of your own anxiety; teaching your child breathing techniques to help reduce anxiety,focus on the moment and bring the body back into balance; validating their feelings; practicing gratitude together and exploring the good things that happen are all helpful habits. If more help is needed, do not hesitate to talk to a licensed mental health practitioner
SLEEP
Good sleep hygiene will help kids get ready to go back to school and adapt to a more structured day. Sleep is especially important for kids as it supports growth, health (including mental health) and physical development, with kids between the ages of 6–13 requiring 9–11 hours of sleep per night to maintain the behaviours needed to learn and excel academically. Parents can support their children by maintaining consistent bedtimes so that they get the rest that they need.
Optimizing Bedtime
To help your child get a better night’s sleep, we recommend:
● Going to be at the same time every night
● Keeping the bedroom quiet, cool and dark
● No snacks 2 hours before bedtime
● No screen time (TV, internet) for at least one hour before bed
● Creating a relaxing nightly routine,for example a warm bath, reading, journaling and/or practicing gratitude
IMMUNITY
Alongside the return to in-person school comes our old friend, cold and flu season. And having spent so much time isolating ourselves from one another, the likelihood of catching every little cold that comes along is higher.
Natural Support for a Developing Immune System
Luckily, there are some natural measures you can take to help kids stay healthy, reduce the chance of developing a cold and,
most importantly, increase their body’s resilience when the inevitable germs do spread in class. We recommend:
● Letting kids play in the dirt to build up their natural antibodies
● Providing a nutrient dense whole foods diet
● Ensuring they get enough sleep
● Keeping children away from second-hand smoke, artificial fragrances and chemicals
● A daily fall/winter supplement regimen that includes probiotics, zinc and vitamin D to promote a healthy microbiome and support immune function
● Lemon balm or camomile “sleepy tea” for children with persistent difficulty sleeping
Should your child develop a cold, start administering echinacea, zinc, and vitamin C and vitamin d right away. Natural elderberry syrup is helpful to reduce the severity of cold and flu symptoms and get your child feeling themselves faster.
EXERCISE
Exercise has benefits that go way beyond strengthening the body. It reduces anxiety, increases self-confidence and helps children to sleep more soundly at night. It’s imperative to kids’ long term physical health and has been linked to increased cognitive abilities, immune function, bone density, and cardiovascular health. A habit of daily exercise reduces the long term risk of developing chronic diseases in one’s lifetime.
At Least One Hour A Day
Children need at least one hour of moderate exercise daily to reap its benefits. If your child is reluctant to get the exercise they need, the following may help:
● Lead by example. Kids are more apt to exercise if they see their parents do the same.
● Limit TV and screen time for the entire family
● Choose activities that your child enjoys and don’t feel you have to go for a “one-size fits all” approach
● Participate with them. From playing tag to group sports to joining a community recreation centre together there are loads of options
Eyesight
Seeing clearly is something we may take for granted most years, but the increased screen time kids have been subjected to due to remote learning and social distancing measures has recently been linked to an increase in short-sightedness in children. A 2021 Chinese study pointed to “Near work,” aka watching TV, reading, and using digital devices as the determining factor increasing instances of poor eyesight in children.
Get Outside
The same study indicates outdoor activities may play an important role in counteracting the potential negative effects of screentime, protecting children’s still-developing eyesight. So get out there when you can! Make it a priority to ensure your kids spend time outdoors doing anything other than “near work”.
Supporting Resilience
It’s no secret that our kids are dealing with more this year than they are used to, but we can help them to be more resilient in all the ways they need to be. If you would like a more custom approach to helping your child make the most of this year, book an appointment with Dr, Carrie Hartney.
Call or 860-828-5503 or email hartneychirocare@sgcglobal.net
Be Well,
Hartney Chiropractic Care Center
References
Bethune, Sophie APA: U.S. Adults Report Highest Stress Level Since Early Days of the COVID-19 Pandemic
www .apa.org/news/press/releases/2021/02/adults-stress-pandemic
Campbell MA, Winnall WR, Ford C, & Winstanley MH. 4.17 Health effects of secondhand smoke for infants and children. In Greenhalgh, EM, Scollo, MM and Winstanley, MH [editors]. Tobacco in Australia: Facts and issues. Melbourne: Cancer Council Victoria; 2021.
Diaz A, Berger R, Valiente C, et al. Children’s Sleep and Academic Achievement: The Moderating Role of Effortful
Control. Int J Behav Dev. 2017;41(2):275-284. doi:10.1177/0165025416635284
Goldthorpe J, Ali N, Calam R. Providing healthy diets for young children: the experience of parents in a UK inner city.
Int J Qual Stud Health Well-being. 2018;13(1):1490623.
doi:10.1080/17482631.2018.1490623
Leeb RT, Bitsko RH, Radhakrishnan L, Martinez P, Njai R, Holland KM. Mental Health–Related Emergency Department Visits Among
Children Aged <18 Years During the COVID-19 Pandemic — United States, January 1–October 17, 2020. MMWR Morb
Mortal Wkly Rep 2020;69:1675–1680.
Solomonian, Leslie. Physical Activity in Children & Youth: Benefits, Barriers, and Recommendations https: //ndnr.
com/pediatrics/physical-activity-in-children-youth/
Turke PW. Childhood food allergies: An evolutionary mismatch hypothesis. Evol Med Public Health. 2017;2017(1):154-160.
Published 2017 Oct 4. doi:10.1093/emph/eox014
Wang J, Li Y, Musch DC, et al. Progression of Myopia in School-Aged Children After COVID-19 Home
Confinement. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2021;139(3):293–300.
doi:10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2020.6239
Xiong J, Lipsitz O, Nasri F, et al. Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on mental health in the general population: A systematic review. J
Affect Disord. 2020;277:55-64.
doi:10.1016/j.jad.2020.08.001
BY: Dr Carrie
Health Information
COMMENTS: No Comments
13 Dec 2018
Biomagnetism and Lyme Disease
Biomagnetism was discovered by Dr. Isaac Goiz Durán. Biomagnetism is an alternative form of healing that irregular magnetic fields can be modified by magnetic pairs that will balance cellular frequencies, hormones, pH, and enzymes. In doing this procedure, Dr. Carrie can neutralize and target different bacteria, fungus, parasites, and viruses.
Biomagnetism is different than other forms of magnetic therapy. It uses pairs of magnets in conjunction with one another. One positive and the other negative and these will depolarize unbalanced areas allowing them to restore vibrationally and energetically. This system even allows the doctor to detect conditions before the display symptoms so it can be corrected.
Discovery of Biomagnetism
Dr. Durán is considered the father of Biomagnetic Therapy, it is worth mentioning that he discovered the therapy after taking a seminar from Dr. Broeringmeyer. Dr. Broeringmeyer was the chief medical scientist for NASA in the 1980’s. Dr. Broeringmeyer discovered astronauts returned from space with changes in leg length.
The leg length discovery fascinated him so he experimented with magnetic fields and how they affected the astronaut’s leg length. He was the one who discovered the first 150 magnetic pairs through this research.
While the medical establishment here was cautious of his theories he went to share his discovery at a medical conference in Mexico City. It was there that Dr. Durán used Dr. Broeingmeyer’s discovery to build his theory on Biomagnetism.
Biomagnetism Treatment
The treatment protocol requires diagnosing and treating the different areas of the body which harbor the pathogens causing symptoms of Lyme disease.
While we don’t treat patients with pacemakers the treatment is very safe and effective. In your initial session, Dr. Carrie will check your leg lengths after challenging your body to determine the treatment biomagnetic pairs.
The treatment itself consists of two points. One will be treated with a positive magnetic charge and the other with a negative magnetic charge.
Most patients at first are often treated biomagnetically for detoxification. This process is very important as it paves the way for the rest of the treatment to be successful.
The treatment itself takes around 20 minutes, and most patients feel very relaxed and often fall asleep.
The treatment protocol is repeated weekly and good results are usually seen after 7-10 Biomagnetic sessions. Expect the average session to take 45 minutes with evaluation and treatment.
Call 860-828-5503 Click HERE to book your appointment online
BY: Dr Carrie
COMMENTS: No Comments
Stop Sugar Cravings in 10 Days
Have Sugar Cravings?
Try our 10 Day Blood Sugar Support Program
We are seeing excellent results with our 10 Day Blood Sugar Support Program. The new program will help you wean off sugar and eat healthily. Dr. Carrie is now running groups in her office to so people can start on the program.
First, you will start on a nutritional support program to help your body resist cravings.
- The first supplement is a whole food protein powder. We have different flavors and also ones that are dairy free for you to choose.
- Secondly, a cleansing supplement will help your body eliminate toxins. 20 ingredients will enhance your bodies toxin-removal process.
- The third supplement is designed to encourage healthy blood sugar metabolism. It also improves healthy pancreas function.
- Our fourth supplement reduces cravings for sweets and inhibits sweet taste sensation.
Your diet over the 10-days will be rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. The focus is to nourish your body with health nutrient-rich foods. You will frequently eat to maintain a healthy blood sugar level.
Also, your diet will include over 40 delicious fruits and vegetables. You will even eat two servings of meat and fats a day to makes sure you are not hungry.
Our 10-day diet will help your body change and help you feel healthier and happier.
Give Dr. Carrie a call today to start your cleanse.
BY: Dr Carrie
Diet and Recipes / Health Information
COMMENTS: No Comments