School is starting this month… already!  This article features reminders and ideas to prepare children’s mind and body for the shift in schedule.  Typically, children return to school and some type of illness makes itself available to them.  In order to help your child maintain the best possible health through school it is important to keep the immune system strong.  All of the following help to boost the immune system and brain function:

 

• Sleep : Children and teenagers need approximately 10-14 hours of sleep!  Our bodies heal when we’re sleeping; mood and overall functioning are better after a good night’s sleep.
• Ideas to help the sleep schedule shift : This one requires more effort on our part… limit their time AND our time looking at screens; encourage and join them outside for physical activity so that they are tired and ready for bed earlier.  
• Vitamin C : An important supplement for the immune system and blood flow, especially if the child does not get plenty of fruits and vegetables.  For optimal absorption, it is very important to use food-based supplements such as rose hips, elderberry and sea buckthorn berry.  Synthetic supplements are processed through the liver and kidney the same as toxins, and therefore not metabolized.  If they do not enjoy the flavor of a chewable, there are liquid and powder supplements that can be added to food.
• Probiotics :  When the gut is happy and abundant with the appropriate flora and fauna, the system can properly absorb nutrients, which then helps people think clearly, improves mood, and bolster the immune system.  Typically, if there are any challenges associated with the digestive system, small or large, both mood and focus become muddled and sluggish.
• Stress :  As often as possible, eat meals together and talk about everyone’s day.  Regular and casual conversation about the events of the day help kids talk through the positive and negative aspects of school. The above mentioned suggestions also help children process stress more effectively.
• Finally, there are several techniques used by acupuncturists that do not involve the use of needles, such as cupping, gua sha and shonishin.  These and other techniques are explained on the site under the services tab, http://daisylear.com/services/ and are useful for addressing health concerns such as digestion, stress, anxiety, immune system challenges and respiratory illnesses.  As always, please feel free to call with any questions!