Body and Being
NATURAL SOLUTIONS FOR HEALTH AND BODY CARE
Monthly articles are supplied by guest writers who explore natural solutions to health and well-being issues.
Bringing a little "calm" to children's active schedules
by Marybeth Watkins, MS, BS
(September 2004) — Children today lead busy and active lives. This is even more apparent with the beginning of a new school year. There are new routines, including school and bus schedules, new teachers and classmates, sport practices and games, club activities, music lessons and other events.
For children to feel nervous and a bit stressed-out under this barrage of activity and excitement is understandable. And it is natural for parents to want to support their children in these activities and help them stay calm in the midst of all this excitement.
Parents can help their children reduce the feelings of stress and anxiety by helping to prepare for their activities, encouraging them with positive support, and by recognizing when these steps are not enough and the energy or activities are becoming disruptive to a child's ability to sleep and maintain balanced behavior throughout the day.
Some simple steps that parents can take to help their children during this busy time include a little nutritional support and some common sense ideas.
- Eating a well-balanced diet that is high in fresh fruits and vegetables and low in simple sugars or sweets is essential for all kids.
- To help a child prepare for a new activity, talk to them about the first day of school or their new team or activity with realistic expectations to make them feel more confident. Encourage participation without pressuring for achievement.
- Incorporate some "down time" throughout the day, whether it's 10 minutes talking with them after school about their day, or having them read quietly in bed for 20 minutes before turning out the lights.
- Adding a multi-vitamin that is rich in B-complex vitamins helps kids maintain physical energy as well as mental focus.
During times of illness, or unusual stress or anxiety, you may consider the following:
- Herbal support for kids using a chamomile daytime blend and valerian nighttime blend help support the nervous system so kids can stay focused and calm. These herbs, along with a catnip and skullcap extract, help to bring balance to nervous or anxious children, calm hyper-energized activities, and promote restful sleep so important to growing bodies.
- Immune support is also very important as children go back to school and daycare and are exposed to more viruses and bacteria. Often, the first medicinal herb parents learn to turn to for immune support is Echinacea root. Echinacea can be used preventively to safely curb minor illnesses, but there is a trick: you must use Echinacea frequently in the first few days of a minor illness and for several days afterwards.
Regardless of the activity or time of year, parents are able to equip themselves with a natural approach that will see both them and their children through this busy time. So relax and bring a little "calm" to this busy fall season.
References:
Kids, Herbs, Health ... Guide to Natural Remedies, Linda B. White, MD and Sunny Mavor, AHG, Interweave Press, USA, 1998.
Smart Medicine for a Healthier Child, Janet Zand, LAc., OMD, Rachel Walton, RN and Bob Rountree, MD, Avery Press, USA, 1994.
Mary Beth Watkins, Director of Research and Development at Botanical Laboratories, Inc., has been formulating homeopathic medicines and dietary supplements for over 20 years. She is a chemist and biochemist with her Masters in Biochemistry.
This information is intended for educational purposes only. It is not provided in order to diagnose, cure, mitigate or prevent any disease, illness or injury. Those individuals suffering from any disease, illness or injury should consult with their healthcare provider.
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