Planning a Healthy Back-to-School Routine

Planning a Healthy Back-to-School Routine

It’s back-to-school time. This is a busy time for a lot of us, especially if you have children who are changing up their schedules for the new school year. Unfortunately, as with many busy times, a lot of people let their health slide when they’re overwhelmed with things to do.

Here are a few tips for putting together a healthy back-to-school routine.

Eat Breakfast

The mornings are busy. You need to get up and get ready, and you need to make sure your kids do the same. There is often a lot going on with people rushing around the house and everyone trying to leave at the right time. In this hustle and bustle, breakfast can sometimes be left behind. That’s not a good idea. Eating a healthy breakfast is important. Make sure to make time to have a healthy breakfast and try to include some protein and fruit in your meal. A doughnut as you run out the door isn’t a healthy breakfast.

Establish a Sleep Schedule

During the summer, you may have been more relaxed with bedtime and wake-up time. But during the school year, it’s time to establish a firm routine. Getting enough sleep is important for all members of the family.

Before school actually begins, start by slowly easing your children into a consistent bedtime. Set a slightly earlier bedtime each day (and a corresponding earlier wake up time) until you’ve reached the time when your child should go to sleep and wake up. The amount of sleep that your child needs will depend on their age. Once the schedule is established, stick to it, even on weekends.

It often helps to have a “quiet time” before bedtime. Avoid distractions like computers, tablets, electronic toys, and television before bed. This advice is for your kids and you as well.

Exercise as a Family

During the busy school year, it can be tough to find time to exercise. It can also be difficult to find opportunities to spend time with your family. One solution is to combine the two activities together! Go for a walk in the evening as a family, for example. This can be a great way to discuss your respective days and have some fun while also being active.

Plan your Meals

When you’re busy, it’s tempting to eat fast food or convenience food rather than home cooked meals. However, these foods are often very high in calories, salt, and sugar. They’re also often lacking in nutrients. By planning your meals, and even doing a little prep work in advance, you’ll have an easier time cooking healthy meals each day. Plan out your snacks in advance to save yourself a trip to the vending machine.

You can even let the kids help with planning and preparation. This will make them more likely to eat the meals if they helped create them.