Are You Ready?

There are a few more weeks left of summer vacation. Here at Norris Family Chiropractic, and in my household, we plan to enjoy them. My youngest is beginning his school career at Emerson this year and we are obviously all excited. As I prepare all of us for the school year ahead I am focusing on eating well, getting enough rest, and staying healthy. Each school year is a chance to reflect on wintertime goals and I want to stress that even those without children can use the coming of fall to prepare — before the drab winter blues set in.

It's important to enjoy the last days of late night BBQing, sprinkler runs, bike rides, pool dips, and visits with friends and families. But it's equally important to prepare for the routines of winter and the impending school year.  

A proper nights rest helps me feel like I can take on the day and it will surely give my son a great start. According to an article written by Dr. Stuart Crisp, children age 3-5 need 10-12 hours of sleep/day. Dr. Crisp goes on to say that school age children need about 10 hours of sleep/night. Dr. Berge from an article out of Mayo clinic discusses that teenagers need on average 9 hours of sleep/night. Investigating your family's sleep patterns can help you perhaps gain some insight when schedules seem off, or health issues seem to be persistently dogging you.

My son is a picky eater and so I have made it my mission to make eating a pleasure while allowing him to expand his taste horizons. This summer he discovered he likes beets and also that black beans will not in fact kill him. It has taken a lot of talking, and some crying, to prove to him that healthy foods make him feel better and that treats should be chosen last (if at all). He is actually grasping this and will often ask for his healthy foods first. It is amazing how our conviction as parents is proving to develop his eating habits. Again, taking a critical look at such a basic activity can lead to changes that will benefit the whole family.

We are also back on a vitamin regimen. This includes a multi-vitamin (since he is still a picky 5 y.o.), fish oils, and a chewy vitamin D. As we head into the fall and winter unfortunately the sun will be hiding more and more. It is important for us Northeastern Ohio residents to get enough vitamin D. A June news piece by local Health correspondent Monica Robins stated that nearly half of local residents are deficient in Vitamin D. Getting improper amounts of Vitamin D has been linked to depression and bone disorders and is something we should all be keeping track of.

I know this first school year for our family will be fun — because we are ready. Sure, there will be work for all of us and we have a new routine to get used to but school is fun and filled with new adventures all the time. Our forethought and planning will allow us to take it all in, and rest easy. Knowing that going to "school every day" (as he recently told me) will be a positive for both him and the family makes it all that much sweeter.