As parents, we know it's important to teach our children to read, to write, to swim and to play sports or music. We sometimes overlook the importance of teaching them about their bodies. Not the birds and the bees.... but how to keep them healthy. We only have one body, if it's not healthy, we can't go to school, play with friends, go to work or participate in extracurricular activities. It's critical that we understand and then teach our families how to care for our bodies.
We learn a little from school or Sesame Street about healthy foods and exercise, but there's so much more. I find it helpful to explain to kids mostly, but adults as well, exactly how different foods and activities affect our bodies. Here are some examples: Protein, which comes mostly from animal products and a few vegetables, helps our muscles to grow and repair themselves. Carbohydrates or Carbs, come mostly from sugar, grains, potatoes, corn and some other fruits and veggies. They give us energy. Fats come from animal products, nuts, seeds, and oils. They help lubricate our systems, protect our body and also give us energy. Fruits and vegetables come in all kinds of colors and each color has a vitamin or mineral that helps to protect our body from disease, illness and wear and tear.
It's important that we eat enough of what we need, but not so much that our body has to store the excess. If we are exercising strenuously, breathless and sweating, we need carbs to fuel us. If we are just living day to day life, we need more fats and proteins, and fewer carbs. Our body burns fat for energy when we're not exercising, so as long as we give it a small amount of carbs to get going, it can create the energy it needs throughout the day.
Exercise is hugely important to our health. It's not just to make us look a certain way, it actually prevents disease, illness, bone loss, maintains healthy brain function and a long list of other benefits. Women begin to experience bone density decline as early as 25 years old. Weight bearing exercise helps to slow and even stop this process. The hormones released during strenuous activity combat against the stress hormones released in daily life. This helps to speed up metabolism, helps you sleep more soundly and boosts your immune system.
It's fun to explain to kids which muscles move which body part and to help them to understand how important moving is. They naturally love to run, jump and play. Encourage it and join in the fun! Allowing them to take risks and discover how their body works will help them develop Proprioception, which is what tells you where your body parts are without having to look at them. A skill important in life situations such as driving, since you can't look for the gas pedal. Climbing and playing also helps them develop their Vestibular sense, which provides information about where the body is in relation to its surroundings. This is important in simple situations such as understanding personal space, as well as more important situations like understanding that you're not far from mom even though you can't see her.
The more you know, the better choices you'll make. If kids understand that sugar and soda don't help their bodies and in fact damage them, they will naturally make a better choice. If they are encouraged to do what kids do and play, instead of watching a screen, they'll be happier and healthier. Adults have a hugely important role in modeling healthy behavior for their kids. Monkey see, Monkey do! If your family needs any ideas or help making healthy choices, please reach out. I'm passionate about helping others discover the healthiest versions of themselves, inside and out!
