focus on health
::: for the family :::
Instilling Kids' Flu Etiquette
Avoid the
Blues
HIBERNATION
With winter here, your kids may be tempted
to give up outdoor activities in favor of the
warmth and comfort of the indoors.
Unfortunately, this can mean less physical activity. How
will you keep your children up and at 'em this season?
Try these activities:
• Venture out on a winter photography expedition
at a local park.
• Sign up your son or daughter for a sport
that runs through the winter season, such as
basketball or gymnastics.
• Take your child and a group of friends to the local
ice-skating rink.
With a little creativity, you can keep your kids happy
and active this winter.
If your child comes down with the flu this
season, teach him or her how to prevent the
spread of illness.
Being considerate of others begins with understanding
how germs spread. Let your child know that the flu
virus likes to hang out in mouths and noses. When
someone with the flu coughs or sneezes, the virus can
land on other people or things.
Relay the following rules to your
child to help ensure that he or she
doesn't spread germs:
• Wash your hands regularly
with soap and warm water,
especially after you cough
or sneeze into them.
• When you feel a
cough or sneeze coming
on, point your face
away from other people
and cover it with your
arm so your elbow is
pointing straight out
from your nose.
• Keep your hands
away from your face.
The Phone-Obsessed Teen
When you think of addictions, do you include cell phone use?
When compared with drugs and alcohol, phone use may
seem like a harmless addiction. However, excessive phone
time can negatively affect your teen's physical, mental and
emotional health. For instance:
• It can hinder quality sleep. Studies show many teens
aren't getting adequate sleep because they stay up late to
use their phones.
• It can stifle relationships. Teens who frequently use
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their phones to text friends and access social media sites
tend to spend less quality time interacting face-to-face.
• It can promote a sedentary lifestyle. Spending too much
time on a cell phone eats away at time spent being active.
• It affects mental health. One study linked excessive
cell phone use to low self-esteem in teens. Also, teens
who overuse cell phones were more likely to be anxious
and depressed.
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