Every parent wants a happy and healthy child. Luckily, there are many ways to achieve this. By providing a home that offers a sanitary environment, giving kids the proper amount of rest, a nutritious diet, and an abundance of exercise, parents can ensure they raise a happy and healthy child.
Keeping Your Home Clean
Children spend a lot of time indoors inside the home. If it’s not sanitary and does not have a desirable air quality, children can develop temporary symptoms of a cold, irritations to the skin and the bronchial tubes which can lead to symptoms similar to asthma. The good news is that you can correct and improve your indoor air quality. If you have pets, vacuum and brush them often. If you smoke, do it outside away from the entrance to your dwelling. If you have a fireplace, make sure that you clean it and have the flute and chimney cleaned once yearly prior to use. There are other things you can do too such as washing the windows and floors often, wiping down counters and sinks, tubs and toilets. You should also change the bedding once a week to eliminate the presence of germs.
Removing Pests
Insects and animals are dirty. They don’t wash after meals like you do and they often eat things that are dangerous for you to consume like feces and rotting meat. They also leave behind saliva or droppings on surfaces that if consumed can cause sickness or even a serious disease. Thankfully, you can prevent the spread of germs throughout your home by having a pest control service do a thorough check of your home. Many of the insects and rodents hide very well inside walls, the attic or in dark, cool places. Having a specialist come in and make a complete evaluation, allows you to fix the problem before anyone in the home gets sick.
Proper Nutrition
In order for your child to develop properly and grow in body and mind to their full potential, they need the proper nourishment. Lean meats, fish, poultry, fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy products like yogurt, cheese, and milk. Limiting their intake of sugar and processed foods that have no significant nutritional value can prevent them from developing type 2 diabetes, becoming overweight and other health issues attributed to poor eating habits. In addition to eating right, making sure that children have access to a clean source of water is also essential. Freshwater keeps the body hydrated and functioning at its best. It can also help protect against heat exhaustion during the warm summer months.
Active Lifestyle
Today it seems like children lack the drive to get outdoors and run around. A lot has to do with advancements in technology with the video gaming systems, tablets, and cell phones. The good news is that you can encourage kids to get up and move by creating fun activities. Take them to the park to fly kites, to the beach to collect sea shells and enjoy a good swim or play hide and seek in the backyard. Indoors, limit their time on the gaming systems and encourage them to join in with your exercise routine 4 to 5 days each week for a half hour. There are many exercise videos designed specifically for kids.
Sound Sleep
Sleep is just as important as eating good food and exercising regularly. When the body is asleep it performs amazing work. It fights off infections, promotes healthy growth, keeps the mind sharp and can prevent mood swings. It can also keep their heart functioning top notch and prevent the development of obesity and Type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, a well-rested child performs better in school because they have a better attention span. The younger the child is, the more sleep they require to sustain overall health. Generally, kids ages 3 to 5 years should have 11 to 13 hours each night, whereas children ages 5 to 12 require 10 to 11 hours.
As a parent, you want your child to grow to their full potential in body and mind and sustain a happy and healthy life. By following a good diet, getting adequate exercise, plenty of rest and keeping your home free of pests and providing a clean indoor environment, you give them the best chance of succeeding.
