Healthy (Non-Academic) Habits for Summer
If you follow our blog posts regularly, then you already know that one of our favorite topics to discuss is how to maintain healthy habits. We talked about strategies for developing more productive routines through stacking habits in our January blog, and we discussed re-evaluating study habits to set up for a strong finish in our March blog. What these discussions had in common was that they centered around study skills. With school out for the summer, it’s time we turn our attention to non-academic healthy habits which are every bit as critical for success. And while study habits are obviously important, mastering soft skills for self-care through habit and routine is equally critical for long-term success.
Let’s Get Cooking
Learning to cook is a skill that often gets short shrift, especially during the school year when life is busy and grabbing a fast meal on the go often seems like the best option. Summer is a great time to learn or to practice cooking skills no matter what level you’re at, whether it’s preparing a simple sandwich for lunch or cooking a full dinner.
There are plenty of studies cataloging the benefits of healthy eating, but let’s face it – just about anything you cook yourself will wind up being healthier in the long run than a meal you eat out or buy prepared. Even restaurants which serve health-conscious meals often go overboard when it comes to portion sizes, sodium content, and hidden fats and calories in sauces, sides, and the like. What this means is that even if you’re cooking a hamburger or steak at home, it’s likely to be a healthier option than eating the same meal out. Learning to cook the foods you like is a great incentive to start building towards even healthier habits of cooking foods that are better for you. There are also many fun options for cooking classes to take over the summer, whether from your county recreation department or specialty stores such as Sur La Table that offer classes for children and adults.
Let’s Move It
With longer hours of sunlight and warmer weather, summer is also the time to focus on getting exercise and movement back into your life. During the school year, academic and after-school commitments often take precedence over exercise. The ironic thing is, exercise and regular movement throughout the day actually helps with focus. If exercise is lacking from your current routine, summer is a great time to find fun ways to incorporate physical activity. Even committing to 30 minutes per day of movement can make a big difference in your health and lifestyle – one that may stick with you past summer break. Need some ideas? The American Heart Association has tips to keep your family active here: https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/fitness/getting-active/daily-tips-to-help-keep-your-family-active
Let’s Get Some Sleep
Working on healthy sleep habits, also known as sleep hygiene, has benefits throughout your lifetime. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, teens need 8-10 hours of sleep each night, and school-aged children need 9-12 hours, while the average adult requires 7 hours of good quality sleep on a regular schedule each night. Nemours Children’s Health offers 10 Ways to Help Your Child Get a Better Night’s Sleep at https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/sleep-hygiene.html.
EEG wishes you a healthy and productive summer!