PNH: Healthy Tips for Back-to-School Season

From Piedmont Newnan Hospital

Summer is winding down, and kids are headed back to school. It’s a hectic time of year for caregivers who have plenty to worry about, from school supplies and new clothes, to immunizations and their child’s health.

This time of year brings all kinds of changes to routine, and it is helpful to make plans for the upcoming school year before it starts. Kids who are healthy, happy and well-rested have the best chance of succeeding in the classroom, and in life.

Here are a few things parents should think about, according to a local pediatrician, Lewis Jackson, M.D., to help manage sleep schedules, healthy meals, sufficient time for exercise, and illness prevention.

• Sleep: Kids need to get enough sleep to do their best academically. If they’re not as alert, it can also affect their mood, and children who are sleep-deprived can sink into depression or experience worsening anxiety. During the summer months, many children stay up later and will need to adjust their bedtimes to get up earlier for those early morning school days. A healthy night’s sleep is about eight to 10 hours a night for most. Eliminate all screen time at least 1-2 hours before bedtime (except homework on the Chromebook).

• Healthy Meals: Good nutrition is very important for health and for academic success. Children should be eating five servings of fruits and vegetables each day. It is also important that kids eat breakfast before school and eat dinner early enough at night to get to bed on time. Families are busy, with work and sports practices, but a little planning can help overcome obstacles to good family meals. Additionally, limiting processed foods (and the chemicals they contain) improves health in many areas.

• Exercise: Kids need exercise every day. Kids who run and play feel better, sleep better and do better in school. Turn off the TV and put away the video games and cell phones, and they will automatically choose a better activity.

• Illness prevention: Children need to be up-to-date on vaccinations to attend school. Don’t wait until the last minute as appointments usually fill up fast this time of year. It is also a good time to remind kids to wash their hands correctly and frequently. Proper hand hygiene is even more crucial during this time of year, especially for those of us who are immunocompromised—so
make sure you do your part to keep yourself and others safe.

With school comes exposure to a large number of other people, and it typically takes several days for not only your children’s bodies, but yours, to adjust. Doing the things mentioned above will equip you and your child to handle the increased exposures and the inevitable illnesses that come with the start of a new school year.

“For all of us, but especially for children and teens, it is important to follow a proper diet, to exercise and to get plenty of sleep to keep our immune system strong,” says Dr. Jackson.

Stay on top of your family’s health during back-to-school season. For vaccinations or for illness diagnosis and treatment, visit doctors.piedmont.org, to find a pediatrician near you.