Give Your Child the Gift of Health: 3 Good Health Habits To Teach Your Children From Day One
As a parent, you are your child’s first teacher. Your child will carry the lessons that you teach them with you for the rest of their lives. These lessons will probably (and should, definitely) include healthy habits to ensure that your child lives a safe and happy life. Here are three good habits to instill in your child while they are young and some tips for making sure these healthy activities become habits that become a part of your children for the rest of their lives.
1. Teach Your Kids Good Hygiene
Depending on your child’s age, you are probably somewhere in between being fully responsible for their hygiene and being mostly removed from their cleanliness habits. While most adults understand the things that they need to do on a regular basis to maintain good hygiene, these habits are normally not instinctual, and they need to be taught. Teach your children the importance of brushing their teeth, washing their face, bathing regularly, and most importantly, bathing thoroughly. Teach them how to avoid using strong perfumes and other strong scents that may be offensive to others, especially in close quarters, such as riding on buses, trains, and planes, and sitting in the classroom.
Teach your children these life lessons about hygiene while they are still young, and you are still responsible for your their hygiene. As they grow older, make sure to continue to check in with them, verifying that they have maintained the habits that you taught them early on about maintaining good hygiene. Before you tuck them in at night, ask them if they’ve washed up and brushed their teeth. If they haven’t, it might be helpful to brush your teeth along with them until they get into the habit and becomes instinctual.
2. Teach Your Kids to Exercise Regularly
Part of being healthy is being active. Get your child interested in sports, or any activity that helps them become physically active on a regular basis. It is a good idea to show them that exercising can be fun, while they are young. As they grow older, they may lose interest in sports. If this is the case with your child, encourage them to go for a walk or find another activity that will get their heart rate up for at least 30 minutes a day. Make it a natural routine, so it won’t feel like an obligation, and exercise won’t feel like a chore, or an interruption in their daily routine later on, when they become adults.
3. Teach Your Kids to Eat Right
Establishing good eating habits early on, is an important part of maintaining your child’s health. While many kids don’t like to eat certain vegetables, such as broccoli or brusell sprouts for example, that doesn’t mean that they don’t want to eat any vegetables. Sometimes you can mix certain vegetables together, some they like, others they don’t like, to make eating vegetables more appealing to them during dinner. Make sure that your child understands the importance of fruits and vegetables and the difference between a healthy snack and a “treat,” something they get just once in a while.
It’s easier to form healthy habits than it is to undo unhealthy habits, so getting your child off to the right start in their journey to health is vital to maintaining their health later on.
For more information on maintaining good health by eating fruits and vegetables, enroll in the course entitled, “How to Prevent Disease in Your Body (By Eating Fruit and Vegetables!)” offered by Avidity Medical Design Academy.
For more informative articles on healthcare, be sure to follow the Avidity Medical Design blog.
Six-Part Health Series (Part 4): 10 Things You Can Do to Improve Your *Spiritual* Health in 2020
Your spiritual health is connected to your physical, mental, and social health. It is about having a connection with yourself, others, nature, and God (if you are religious). The results of spiritual health help people to live positive lives with purpose. Negative emotions like anxiety and sadness are reduced. It is important to work on improving your spiritual health in 2020 because it is essential to total body health, and you owe it to yourself to experience its positive effects as soon as possible.
10 Things You Can Do to Improve Your Spiritual Health in 2020
1. Write.
Practice free-writing or introspective journaling to find out exactly who you are and what you value. Make a list of things that make you happy or people who are important to you. Focus on the positive. Instead of thinking about past mistakes or focusing on negative emotions, list the things you have learned from those mistakes and activities that help you to overcome negativity. It is easy to get stuck in our own heads, and a pen and paper is a perfect way to get it out and experience some self-realization.
2. Meditate.
Focusing on the present while removing the past and future is an exercise in freedom from worry and expectation. Mindfulness gives your mind a break from responsibilities and limitations. It allows you to focus on the most important thing a person can experience – inhaling and exhaling. Your mind can relax when it knows it is accomplishing its primary purpose of maintaining life. Once a person has meditated, he or she is more able to identify and appreciate spirituality.
3. Do Yoga.
Any sort of exercise can lead to improved spirituality because of stress reduction, but yoga is particularly effective because of the focus on the self. It is not something you do with headphones or other distractions. Instead, it is a complete focus on the connection you have with your own body.
4. Volunteer.
Helping others is a focused pathway to spirituality because it prioritizes community connections and a willingness to work for others without expectation of anything in return. The positive notion of this feels good because it elevates your capabilities beyond caring for only yourself and the people you love.
5. Travel.
Seeing and interacting with people around the world makes one realize how each person on the Earth is important and how wonderful our diversity is. It makes the world a little smaller and less overwhelming. Depending on your travels, it is also possible to develop deep caring for people in less-fortunate areas of the world. You’ll find yourself connected to everyone in a collective humanity that makes you feel part of a greater whole.
6. Socialize.
Spend time with your friends and family or people who make you feel happy. Don’t neglect your social activities. You are a part of society, and the benefit is reciprocal. Spending time with your friends reinforces your sense of community connection, which is essential for spiritual health.
7. Pray.
Prayer is a recognition of your spirituality and a positive way to spread happy thoughts. It is typically religious, but it doesn’t have to be. If you are having trouble with prayer because you aren’t religious, practice self-talk (silent or verbal) about your thankfulness, and send wishes to those who you hope will experience better times. If you are religious, communication with God establishes solidarity in your convictions.
8. Walk.
Experiencing nature is a very spiritual activity, so going for a walk or a hike is an excellent way to improve your connection with life on this planet. It also gives you time with your own thoughts, which can have a meditative effect.
9. Unplug.
You don’t have to turn off your Facebook account or literally unplug your television. However, taking a break from these items gives you some peace and quiet. Occasional silence is calming, and it disconnects you from the worries and influence of media platforms.
10. Make Something.
Lastly, creating something new is a great way to improve spirituality because it reaffirms your capabilities and your worth. You may choose to create a table or a tool, or you may choose to create something artistic like a painting or a composition. Your spirituality will be heightened by the act of creation, and you will bask in its glow.
The new decade is a perfect impetus for improved spiritual health, and the effects of this health will extend to your mental and physical health. You’ll feel affirmation about your place and purpose in this world, which will reduce negativity and leave you with more happiness.
If you like what you’ve been reading, visit Avidity Medical Design’s blog and get more helpful tips on improving your health.
“Six-Part Health Series (Part 2): 10 Ways to Protect Your Mental Health in 2020” (Video)
“Six-Part Health Series (Part 1): 10 Things You Can Do for Better Physical Health in 2020” (Video)
Six-Part Health Series (Part 3): 10 Things You Can Do For Better *Emotional* Health in 2020
Emotional health impacts your physical health and your overall happiness, yet it is a difficult thing to improve without purpose. The steps to better emotional health will help to bring you calmness and inner peace. This doesn’t mean you won’t ever have a bad day, but it means you will be able to better cope with bad days and fully enjoy the good things in life.
10 Things You Can Do For Better Emotional Health in 2020
1. Sleep Well.
When you aren’t sleeping well, you may become irritated or angry more easily. It also decreases your ability to handle stress. This decrease in coping ability leads to poor emotional health. Over time, it can also impact physical health.
2. Eat Right.
There is evidence that concludes that the food you eat can impact your emotional health. Getting proper nutrients makes you feel good, and this improves mood. Conversely, meals high in unhealthy fats or toxins can make you feel sluggish and depressed.
3. Exercise Regularly.
When you exercise, your body releases endorphins. These chemicals reduce anxiety and improve mood functions. They also increase self-esteem. Regular exercise is also good for your physical health and body image.
4. Meditate Consistently.
Any exercise in mindfulness is a benefit to emotional health because it gets us out of our heads and back to a healthy emotional center. If formal meditation is not appealing to you, go for a walk or do some gardening. Anything that keeps the body busy so that the brain can have a break is a positive action.
5. Connect with Friends or Family.
In today’s consumer-driven world, we often are tricked into thinking it is our belongings that give us happiness. This is not true, and it is other people and our connections to them that drive happiness. If you are feeling isolated, reconnect with friends or family to regain your sense of community and support.
6. Learn to Say No.
While some people need to reconnect for emotional health, others need to disconnect. It is okay to say no when asked for help. If you are stretched too thin because you are helping others, learn to say no. You need to practice self-care for a little while and then get back into help mode.
7. Don’t Judge.
Judging others is an unhealthy activity for your emotional health and doesn’t produce any good results. You can’t possibly put yourself into someone else’s shoes, and most of the time, their actions aren’t of any consequence to you. Instead of judging, listen and offer help when you can.
8. Appreciate the Here and Now.
Many of us are constantly trying to improve ourselves. We want to be thinner, richer, and more popular. In reality, what you’ve got right now is underappreciated. You have a life, and you can improve it. Appreciate the present and the future, and your emotions will migrate to a more positive place.
9. Volunteer to Improve Your Emotional Health.
Helping others improves your emotional health because it feels good and you are no longer focused on your own stress. Volunteering is a pro-social way to help others that builds connections and yields happy results.
10. Take Time for Yourself.
Taking time for yourself does not mean wasting time watching television. It means investing your time in a hobby or event that will make you feel like you again. If this means a spa day, great. If it means finishing a project, even better. Taking time for yourself means prioritizing yourself, so you don’t feel like you’ve been run over by life.
These 10 steps are pretty straightforward, and if you invest some time on each of them, you are surely going to improve your emotional health. Not only will you experience less extreme emotions, but you’ll be a happier person with a renewed sense of calm.
For more help with improving your emotional help, check out Avidity Medical Design Academy’s course entitled, “How to Prevent Medical Conditions Caused By TOXIC People in Your Life (and Be Healthier!)“
Six-Part Health Series (Part 2): 10 Ways to Protect Your *Mental* Health
It is easy for us to concentrate on our physical health when we see problems. If we are starting to gain more weight, we can watch what we eat more carefully. If we have the flu, we can see our doctor and help to curb some of the symptoms. It is a lot harder for us to recognize when our mental health is suffering. However, our mental health is just as important, and can actually impact our physical health.
Our mental health affects our daily lives by influencing how we feel, think, and even how we behave. So often, we think that mental health only refers to a person that is experiencing a mental illness. In actuality, we all need to concentrate on our mental health to protect the positive characteristics that help us to thrive in today’s world.
Here are 10 ways that you can start to protect your mental health in 2020:
1. Find a Therapist
When we get a physical illness, we see our doctor. Adding a behavioral health expert to your team can help you to maximize your mental health and find ways that work for you to deal with stress in daily living.
2. Set Boundaries
Learning to say “No” is an important skill for your mental well being. Decide what is most important to you and use that knowledge to prioritize requests from others. Determine what to delegate or negotiate when you are asked to commit your time and energy to something that isn’t important to you.
3. Spend Time in Nature
Connecting with nature helps our bodies to relax and appreciate the world around us. So, find some time to get outside and let your mind and body recharge.
4. Laugh Out Loud
Have you noticed how often kids laugh out loud? Now, think about the last time that you allowed yourself the same outlet. Humor is a great stress reliever, and the physical action of laughing out loud makes the perfect mind and body connection.
5. Give Yourself a Pep Talk
Have you noticed that the voice in your head is a lot more critical to you than you would ever be to a friend of yours? Learning to be more positive in our self-talk is an important skill in mental health. Check out this Ted Talk video on how to improve positive thinking
6. Be Grateful for What is Going Well in Your Life
Taking time to appreciate the positives in our lives is another important skill. At the end of each day, take a moment to list 3 things that you are grateful for today.
7. Connect with Others
Make time to keep in touch with people who are special to you. A phone call to chat with someone can change your mental outlook.
8. Take a Daily Break
Start a pattern of taking a daily break to recharge. This can be anything from doing meditation to singing out loud in the car or taking some time to read a book. Look for something that will fit into your day and break up the pattern of building stress.
9. Get More Sleep
Making sleep, nutrition, and exercise a priority in your life is another building block to positive mental health.
10. Try Something New
When you find it hard to motivate yourself to work on your mental health, try to do something completely new for you. Your mind will kick into overdrive by concentrating on learning this new activity. Trying something new can change your daily routine for the better.
The mind and body connection is an important bond for all of us. Taking time to work on protecting your mental health is an important step in your well-being. To learn more about different health subjects, follow the Avidity Medical Design Blog.
Six-Part Health Series (Part 1): 10 Things You Can Do for Better *Physical* Health in 2020
Physical health is important in order to have a happy and fulfilling life. The choices we make can help to enhance our physical health. This year, instead of making a strict resolution you won’t be able to keep, try to do these 10 simple things for better physical health in 2020.
1. Get Outdoors
Getting outdoors isn’t just about being physically active, but that is one of the benefits. When you are outdoors, you also get sunlight. The benefits of sunlight include boosting the body’s vitamin D levels, which helps the body to use calcium and can improve the immune system.
2. Exercise More
Most of us have inactive occupations and spend a lot of time at a desk or counter. This is why formal exercise is crucial to cultivating better physical health. You should get 30 minutes a day for cardiovascular health. A brisk walk is enough to keep your heart rate at an optimal level, but a variety of intense versus moderate exercise will yield the best results.
3. Drink More Water
Getting enough water is important for physical health because our bodies are made up of mostly water. There are many benefits to drinking a healthy amount of water, which is approximately 3 liters a day. Without enough water, you could become dehydrated, which makes you feel fatigued and ill.
4. Eat Fresh Vegetables
Vegetables are full of vitamins and fiber, and they are low in calories. This means the inclusion of more vegetables in your diet will aid in weight control and ensure that your body is getting proper nutrients.
5. Wear Quality Shoes
When you think of physical health, pain is a common topic. People in physical health are able to move freely, and their bones and joints aren’t stiff. Quality shoes can do a lot to maintain physical health by improving gait and providing adequate support.
6. Do Some Physical Stretching
Stretching improves mobility, reduces soreness, and improves blood flow. It may help reduce the risk of injury, and it feels good to loosen up tight muscles and get your blood circulating.
7. Include Fiber Supplements in Your Diet
Physical health involves being able to move freely inside and out, and getting enough fiber will keep your bodily functions regular and prevent disease. Fiber will make you feel full longer, so it also aids in weight control. One way that you can add more fiber into your diet is by including Benefiber. For adults, adding two teaspoons of Benefiber three times daily, into your coffee in the morning, or adding some Benefiber to your juice, soda, salad, or soup, is an easy way to get more fiber into your diet. For children ages 6 to 11, you would use half the recommended dose. If you are pregnant or nursing, you would need to consult your physician before adding Benefiber to your diet. You can also buy a box of Benefiber On The Go packets, and keep a few packets of Benefiber On The Go in your purse or in your wallet, and sprinkle it into your food or drink if you happen to be dining out, to make sure you’re including fiber in your diet, even if you happen to be away from home.
8. Maintain a Consistent Sleep Schedule
Getting enough sleep, and maintaining a consistent sleep schedule by getting up and going to bed around the same time each night (including on weekends), reduces stress on the body and allows your body to repair itself. It also reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease and can help in weight loss.
9. Invest in Ergonomics
Part of maintaining physical health is simply being nice to your body. Use it properly, and it will work better. This means investing in quality beds and chairs, and it means sitting correctly at the computer. Ergonomics can play a large role in creating better physical health practices.
10. End Unhealthy Habits
Lastly, don’t drink, smoke, or do drugs. There are a few other unhealthy habits out there that could be included on this list, but you get the gist of it. These things do damage to the body, and you cannot be physically healthy while engaging in any of these behaviors.
Physical Health = Happiness
People who want to be happy typically include physical health in part of that happiness. Improving physical health involves behavioral change, and these 10 things can put you on the path to success.
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How to Quickly Resolve Conflicts With Coworkers in the Healthcare Environment
If you are a student enrolled in a healthcare class or even if you have been practicing in the medical field for some time, you know the benefits and challenges of a healthcare career. You might also consider yourself to be a people person. Despite your best efforts, misunderstandings and conflicts in the workplace are unavoidable.
Since you will be working with these individuals most of the day, if you’re unhappy at work, this can affect your health, both mentally and physically and even emotionally. Here are three things you can do to help you resolve potential conflicts in the healthcare environment and maintain your physical, mental and emotional well being.
1. Be a Good Listener
When conflicts arise, take a moment to stop and breathe. You may not agree with what is being said, but do your best to listen with an open mind and not pass judgment on your coworker for what is being said. Try your best not to interrupt and resist the urge to disagree right away either verbally or non-verbally while your coworker is giving their opinion or expressing their point of view about a conflict in the workplace.
2. Try to Get to Know Them and Appreciate Their Good Qualities
It is very difficult to stay angry with someone who is showing sincere interest in you as a person. Forget about the job and your frustration for a moment. Try to imagine your coworker outside of the work environment and put yourself in his or her shoes. And then try to learn a little bit about them. You could start by asking open-ended questions such as, “How was your weekend?”. You could avoid appearing overly nosy by sharing a little about yourself too. Sharing pictures of your family or pets might also encourage them to open up about themselves. You might be surprised to learn that a coworker who you didn’t get along with has something in common with you in terms of their family background, their interest or their lifestyle in general.
3. The Compliment Sandwich
When you offer criticism, your coworker may shut down or may feel hurt by what you have to say, which won’t help you resolve the problem or avoid the conflict. When offering constructive criticism, if the beneficiary feels hurt at the outset, they may shut down, ending the opportunity for resolution of the problem. Starting off the conversation with sincere words of praise and appreciation for your coworker will make them receptive for the words to follow. Carefully think out what you will say and avoid absolutes when offering criticism such as, “you always” or “you never”. You can finish the dialogue by giving your coworker ideas on what can be done to resolve the problem and assure them of your desire to assist in this process and not forgetting kind words of commendation. If you get to a point where you can’t resolve a conflict with your coworker and you are trying to maintain your professionalism with patients and coworkers alike, in spite of what you may be dealing with in the work environment, consider enrolling in the course entitled,“How to Learn Professionalism in Healthcare”(with REAL-WORLD Examples!) offered by Avidity Medical Design Academy. This course gives you some excellent ideas on how to create and foster a professional atmosphere at work.
Listen to three sample lectures from this course. Click here to take the full course for only $19.99!
If you’re interested in learning more about other healthcare topics such as basic medical terminology or how to make money in healthcare from home, please check out our website for courses that we currently offer. To find out more about courses that Avidity Medical Design offers and for other tips related to working in the healthcare field, please check out our blog.
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