Overview
Some tips:
- Get outside! We all need sunshine for our mental health and to help our bodies make Vitamin D. Go to the park, or just go for a walk. The exercise is good for you!
- Watch out for windows. If you have little children, open windows can be dangerous. Install window guards if you can. If you can’t install guards, open your windows from the top and don’t put furniture (like couches) in front of windows.
- Plant your garden! Growing vegetables is a great way to teach children about science and nutrition — and growing vegetables can make children more likely to eat them. If you don’t have a yard, a sunny windowsill can be a good place to grow a few things — or look for community gardens.
- Don’t let allergies get you down! If your child suffers from allergies, keep the windows closed (and consider running the air conditioner, if you have one). Have your child wash-up and change when they come inside, and keep them out of their bedroom during the day (so that it becomes a pollen-free zone). Ask your doctor if medications would be a good idea for your child — and if your child has taken them and needs refills, give us a call!
We all want our children to have a healthy lifestyle, with a healthy diet and plenty of exercise. But sometimes, that’s easier said than done! Here are links to information that can help:
- The website of Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move initiative has lots of ideas and resources
- Choosemyplate.gov has great resources (they come in Spanish, too!)
- The American Dietetic Association has a Kids Eat Right page with lots of useful information.
- Looking for exercise options in your Boston-area neighborhood? The Healthy Family Fun website has a tool that can help — along with recipes and other terrific suggestions for getting and keeping your children healthy.
- Also check out: Healthy Advice for Healthy Kids
- Healthychildren.org: health and parenting information from the American Academy of Pediatrics
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: this website has a wealth of information about health (including mental health), diseases and safety. Here are some particularly useful parts of the website:
- Vaccine Information: everything you could possibly want to know about vaccines (including schedules) and the diseases they prevent.
- Traveler’s Health: look up the country you plan to travel to, and find out what vaccines you need and what else you should do to make your trip safe and healthy.
- La Leche League: this international breastfeeding organization has everything you might need or want to know about breastfeeding, as well as links to breastfeeding support groups in your area.
For links to websites that can assist with food, housing, counseling, domestic violence and other mental health and family support issues, visit our Supporting Families page.