“This post is sponsored by Smart Family Nutrition.”
Back to school season is coming to an end and we are heading into fall. My first thoughts now as a mom go to cold and flu season. As the excitement of new school supplies and back to school shopping fades, the reality of new germs and colds hits hard. So, while we are in our second week of preschool, I have already started taking steps to keep our family healthy this fall season. If you follow along on Instagram, you may have noticed that I have been sharing our vitamin routine a lot on IG stories. I know that I cannot protect my kids from everything, but I can do things within my power to help the best I can. Here are 6 Tips to Keep Your Family Healthy this fall:
Stay Hydrated
Water is essential to maintaining your health. Have you ever stopped and thought about how often your kids drink just water? I know for us, my kids always want milk with breakfast and juice with lunch. While I mix their juice with half water, I know that is not enough. My kids get busy playing and oftentimes they forget to drink. I have to remind them to stop and take a drink. Their bodies are growing quickly and they have to stay hydrated. We keep a special cup just for water in their play areas so that is easily accessible.
Wash Your Hands
This might be the easiest for us. My kids LOVE playing in water so washing their hands is a fun task to them. They ask to go to the bathroom strictly to wash their hands. Oftentimes they remind me throughout the day to wash my hands so it something that comes a little easier for our family. One little thing that goes along with this is washing their toys – I know this can be extremely time consuming but it is so important!
Take Vitamins
Smart Family Nutrition has a line up of vitamins that parents can feel good about giving to their kids! Finding a high quality supplement that provides these benefits used to be a challenge but now Smart Family Nutrition provides a doctor-formulated and science-backed brand that mothers trust. Their THINK SMART, TUMMY SMART and SEE SMART products are endorsed by the Sears Family of Pediatricians. THINK SMART is all about brain development. Kids brains grow like a pyramid from the ground up, so developing a strong foundation during the first years of life is crucial for their learning, behavior and health. This line of products gives your family healthy brain support for every stage. This comes in drops, chews and soft gels. The best part, you can enjoy the benefits of improved focus, memory and learning – without the fishy aftertaste (and these they are sugar free).
Exercise
Be sure that your kids are getting plenty of exercise. This is another one that comes pretty easy for us, because our kids love to run around and be outside. However, I know as temperatures drop going into fall, it can be harder for kids to get outside. Not only does exercise burn off extra calories but it strengthens the lungs and cleans out the lymphatic system which is a huge part of the immune system. Exercise also strengthens hand eye coordination in the brain, strengthens muscles and allows kids to burn off energy so they are not restless at night. Get creative in the cooler months, have family dance parties or head to an indoor gym or bounce house.
Get Enough Sleep
Kids who get enough sleep at night tend to get fewer viruses, have less absences from school and get better grades. Getting the recommended 8 hours or more of sleep (depending on your child’s age) is so important. Set a regular bedtime and stick to it. Kids need rest so their bodies can reboot for the next day. REM cycles are vital to the brain’s function and sleep deprivation can even suppress the immune system. So get those little people to bed!
Probiotics
Gut health is so important and such a vital part of our lives. I like using the Smart Family Nutrition TUMMY SMART sprinkle pro-biotic packs because they are so convenient for on the go. They have a unique mix of probiotic strains with 10 billion live cultures to provide the building blocks of a healthy gut flora. With the help of the Sears family research, they chose strains that include Bacillus coagulans, Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, each shown to promote healthier tummies if taken regularly. When your little one’s digestion is in check, their immune health and brain development will thrive as well.
While I technically started these tips back in July when I wrote about joining the #smartsquad, it is not too late for you to start for your family. Head to my blog post – Are you on the #smartSquad? to learn more about Smart Family Nutrition and implement these tips today!