MARCH INTO HEALTH!!!
This month we will be focusing on hygiene and knowing how to care for ourselves! It is also time to have our annual maturation classes for5th graders. The following comes from the monthly newsletter from the nurses at Alpine School District:
A Lifetime of Good Hygiene!!
Good hygiene habits start young. A routine of healthy hygiene can lead to habits that last a lifetime. When we are clean problems are more easily resolved, children are ready to learn, and self-esteem increases.
* Hand washing is the best defense against spreading illness. Hands should be washed before we eat, after we play, after we use the toilet and as needed. But good healthy hygiene habits involve more than hand washing alone.
* Regular bathing prevents body odor and regular hair washing is vital to stop greasy, dirty hair. Most young children can get a away with bathing 2-3 times per week, but teens may need it daily. Sweat starts to become body odor at different ages but will often start at 9 or 10 years old. Nobody has ever liked to be around body odor.
* Talk to your child about daily bathing or showering and washing under their arms may be important especially after physical activity. You may need to choose an antiperspirant, not just deodorant. Deodorant controls bacteria and adds scent, while an antiperspirant also helps to minimize sweating.
* Taking care of our teeth is another important healthy hygiene habit. Children and adults should brush and floss their teeth at least 2 times per day. Clean teeth and gums can prevent bad breath, tooth decay, gum disease and even heart disease later in life.
Mental Health
Recently, the nurses in the Provo School district attended a mental health conference. We would like to share with you one of the techniques these nurses learned about to help individuals cope with stress, all you have to do is take a SELFIE!
SLEEP- 3-5 year olds, should sleep 10-13 per 24 hours, including naps.
6-12 year olds, should sleep 9-12 hours per 24 hours.13-18
year olds, should sleep 8-10 hours per 24 hours. Adults should
sleep 7 or more hours per night. (CDC, 2017).
EXERCISE-Children and adolescents should do 60 minutes or more of moderate-to-
vigorous physical activity daily. (CDC, 2018).
LIGHT- Vitamin D! The two main ways to get vitamin D are by exposing your bare skin
to sunlight, by eating vitamin D rich foods (food, salmon, eggs, fortified cereals,
etc.) or by taking vitamin D supplements. Do not take supplements before
talking to your doctor. (VitaminDcouncil.org).
FUN-Take time for yourself!
INTERACTION-We’re social creatures and having social interaction helps keep in
balance the chemicals in the brain that help us be happy!
EATING WELL- New research finds that your food choices may also affect your mood
and mental health. Eating a healthy diet helps your overall health in
many ways, such as reducing you risk for diabetes, heart disease, etc.