Healthy Habits For Your Family This Fall

After a long hot summer, cool autumn is a favorite time for many. It's easy to see why so many people love to fall!

Unfortunately, autumn is also bringing back cold and flu season, with viruses rampant in schools and sports leagues. The school environment is a breeding ground for germs that grow, spread and return to your home and your entire family. By constantly touching their face and mouth, forgetting to wash their hands, sharing stationery and toys, and simply being around peers and teammates, children easily spread germs.

Autumn is a very important time for the health of your children and family, so let's look at seven simple ways to keep your family healthy and enjoy the season.

1. Know what is happening around you.

Common causes of falls include colds, flu, croup, COVID-19, RSV, and respiratory viruses such as racemose, foot and mouth disease. Make sure you know the symptoms of these six infectious diseases and what to do if your child begins to feel unwell. If you or someone in your family gets sick, MyBSWHealth can help you skip your trip and get 24/7 access to virtual health care at home.

2. Minimize seasonal allergies.

Viruses aren't the only reason you or your kids will get sick this fall. Allergies are common in autumn and winter due to triggers such as cedar and ragweed. Common allergy symptoms include sneezing, itchy nose and/or throat, nasal congestion, runny nose, itching or watery eyes, and postnasal drip. Make sure you don't aggravate your allergies by forgetting to shower after being outside, dirty pets, and other common allergy triggers.

3. Get your child (and you) an annual health check.

An annual health check is often standard for children, and many schools require a health check before classes begin, but an annual physical is not the same as visiting a well. A good visit includes a physical exam and other important health checks to make sure your child is healthy and developing in the right direction.

Dr. As Jamie Avila explains, “The main difference between a physical exam and a wellness visit is that the physical exam is included in the exam. Therapist's examination, physiological assessment is just the beginning. Once your pediatrician evaluates your child's health, we'll get a good, holistic view. , 360 degrees overall." Time. Child. This means that your pediatrician must assess your child's mental, emotional, social, environmental, and behavioral health.

During your child's physical examination, the doctor may ask you or your child questions. Questions can cover everything from friendships and academic performance to sleep patterns and unwanted thoughts and emotions. These well visits help build an ongoing relationship that enables critical prevention and early detection of any problems.

Remember that annual checkups aren't just for kids. In recent years, many adults have missed a doctor's visit or two. This fall is the perfect time to get back on track.

Contact your doctor:

Make sure you get the latest information about cancer screenings, blood tests, and other tests.
Get support to manage any chronic disease or risk factor
Discuss your health goals and make a plan to achieve them

Your doctor can help you with weight loss, mental health, skin problems, and more. can help you with any health problem, including If you don't have a PCP, find one near you today.

4. Make sure everyone knows about vaccines.

The easiest way to protect yourself and your family this flu season is to get a flu shot, but don't forget other vaccines as well. In recent years, many children have missed their vaccination schedule due to COVID-19. Some have yet to find vaccines for diseases such as polio, measles, whooping cough and diphtheria, which can be dangerous.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, your child's vaccinations from birth to age six should include hepatitis B, RV, DTaP, Hib, PVC13, IPV, MMR, chickenpox, and hepatitis A. Vaccinations should include age seven through 18. influenza, Tdap, HPV, meningococcal disease, pneumococcal disease, dengue fever, hepatitis B, hepatitis A, polio, MMR, and varicella. Click here for more information on vaccination schedules and check with your pediatrician to make sure they have the most up-to-date information on age-appropriate vaccines.

Don't forget to ask your healthcare provider if you need any adult vaccinations! Your annual checkup is also a good time to get your flu shot.

5. Create healthy family habits.

Maintaining consistency in family habits can be difficult, but it's the best way to make your family successful on a solid and healthy foundation. Health-promoting family habits include:

Practice: If you like organized sports, enroll in a class or join a sports league. Looking for a more unconventional or less time-consuming activity? Try YouTube workouts (often free), jump over obstacles during commercials, or climb stairs whenever you can. Driving times can also be family friendly – try taking an afternoon stroll or going to the park together. Regardless of the form of your workout, daily movement is essential to your health and happiness.
Eat right: Boost your energy and immune system by eating foods rich in vitamins and amino acids, with a focus on vegetables, protein, and fruits. Many people find cooking healthy and inexpensive, but you can turn cooking every night into a fun activity for the whole family. Set yourself up for success by keeping less healthy foods in your pantry, adding vegetables to sauces and smoothies, and minimizing processed and canned foods in your home.
Sleep: The CDC recommends at least seven hours of sleep for adults and eight (for teens) to 17 hours (for infants) for children, depending on their age. Regular and proper sleep strengthens the immune system, mental clarity and energy.
Positive thinking: Building positivity into healthy habits helps reinforce it. Capture movement and food with the lens of gratitude and joy! Engage your children in conversations and decisions about healthy habits, and make it something you look forward to, not dread.
Stress management. Mental health is as much a part of your family's well-being as physical health, and the two are closely related. Children appreciate you, so don't be too hard on yourself and ask for advice if you feel like you need extra support. Talk to your child as often as possible about their emotions and mental health, and keep the communication open and non-judgmental.

6. Keep your home healthy and germ-free.

Teach your kids proper handwashing hygiene to practice at school so they don't bring germs into the house.

Wash your hands regularly and make sure your little one knows how to properly wash their hands. The main washing times include before eating, during food preparation and after; before and after meals; before and after wound or wound care; after visiting the bath; after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing; after handling human or animal waste; and after touching the trash. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails and rub them for 20 seconds (singing "Happy Birthday" as you wash to make sure your kids shower for a long time).
Don't forget to clean and disinfect your home, and yes, they are two separate steps. Cleaning involves removing germs, dirt, and contaminants with soap and water or a cleaning solution. Disinfection is the use of chemicals to kill germs on surfaces using an EPA-approved disinfectant. Clean and disinfect surfaces you touch daily to minimize germs that can cause illness. Highly touched surfaces include doorknobs, tables, computer keyboards and mice, telephones, light switches, desks, desks, toilets, faucets and remote controls.

7. Have fun to your health!

One of the best things about autumn is the cool weather. Take advantage of the cooler temperatures while keeping the whole family active. Connecting with each other and their communities is another important component of well-being. A little creativity is enough. Find new places in your city for the whole family to explore, or ways to get involved in your community.

What can you add to this list of healthy fall family activities?

Head to the local farmers' market to cook up seasonal produce.
Find pumpkins and choose the perfect pumpkin for your lantern.
Go pick some apples in the orchard.
Find a new family sport like soccer.
Get in the habit of taking an afternoon walk after dinner.
Find hiking trails for free on weekends.
Take a walk (even if only in your park).
Ride the family bike. Make sure you are wearing a helmet.
Have a family picnic.
Watch the stars and use the app to find different constellations.

Health is a holistic concept for children, adults and families. Being healthy in one part of your life will improve health in another. Developing healthy habits in your child minimizes the risk of illness, prepares them for success as adults, and can help you strengthen family bonds. Encourage them to practice good hygiene this fall and watch for possible cold and flu symptoms.

If you have questions about vaccinations or your family's prevention needs, find your nearest primary care doctor who can help with these concerns. If you or a family member get sick, don't delay your doctor's visit - get virtual help, like a 24/7 home visit video from MyBSWHealth. Follow your healthy habits and enjoy a beautiful and healthy autumn!

A physician provides clinical services as a member of the medical staff of any Baylor Scott & White Health affiliated, community or affiliated health center and does not provide clinical services as an employee or agent of that health center or Baylor Scott & White Health. .