The ability to live a creative and successful life requires good health, both mental and physical. Unfortunately, children have been forced to live a compromised lifestyle during the pandemic, owing to online coursework and a constrained active lifestyle. Here are some suggestions by Dr Puja Kapoor, Paediatric Neurologist & Co-founder of Continua Kids, for keeping youngsters fit and healthy.
- A well-balanced diet: A well-balanced diet is essential for maintaining a healthy body and, by extension, a healthy mind. For their growth, children should eat a well-balanced, nutrient-dense diet. Sugary foods, preservatives, refined flour, and other processed foods should not be included in one's regular diet. Sugar rushes can exacerbate a child's hyperactivity and inattention; thus, such meals should be avoided.
- Develop healthy eating habits: Many kids go through a growth spurt and an increase in appetite, necessitating consuming nutritious foods to satisfy their nutritional requirements. Their peers have a significant influence on them. Many teenagers value meal convenience, and they might be having excessive amounts of foods, such as fast or processed foods and soft drinks.
- Restrictive screen time: Screen time should be restrictive to the compulsory requirement. If introduced below two years of age, screen time can cause a decrease in social skills and language development, also causes a reduction in cognitive skills and an increase in temper tantrums.
- Active lifestyle: Sedentary lifestyle brings a multitude of ailments with it. Young children should be taught the value of sports and an active lifestyle in their future lives. Whether it is badminton, skating, or football, anyone sport should be indulged in at some point.
- Adequate sleep: If we want a better functioning brain the next day, we should have adequate sleep quality the night before. For optimum body and brain functioning, children should get at least 8 to 10 hours of uninterrupted sleep (depending on their age). To have better quality, uninterrupted continuous sleep, implement a thorough sleep hygiene programme. Soft music or a lullaby, as well as the reading of a bedtime tale, should be played in the room. Screen time should be avoided before bedtime because it inhibits the generation of melatonin, a hormone that aids in the onset of sleep.