Mamas get stuff done! Is there a more powerful force than a mama trying to protect her kids and create a healthier future?
It’s time we unite for improved wellness of our children for their today and their tomorrow.
Are you with me?
Let’s grow strong resilient children.
Let’s aim to prevent health problems instead of trying to treat or manage conditions after they occur. Let’s aim to build resiliency in children’s mental and physical health. If health problems occur, let’s look at the root cause instead of trying to minimize symptoms. Let’s aim to teach constructive coping skills instead of numbing or distracting or choosing behaviors that increase the burden on the body.
We can do better. And we can do better if we do it together! Let’s start a movement where we fight for the physical and mental health of our children. Let’s support each other as we implement changes that support their health for today and for tomorrow.
While their young bodies may seem unaffected by their health behaviors now, ignoring their health could leave them with unnecessary disadvantages or permanent consequences!
Let me be the first to acknowledge, parenting is HARD and often times, we are in survival mode. That’s where community and support can be especially helpful. As someone with my own health issues, there are many days where I’m not supporting their health behaviors (aka lots of device use and I’m not sure what’s eaten). This is going to be a judgment free zone. We are here to help!
If you are just getting started or life is throwing a lot at you, keep it “simple” (not that anything is simple when it involves kids) & stick with these 2 principles - EAT & MOVE when the sun is up.
*wake up and move your body, *expose eyes to morning light, *breakfast with protein, *minimize bright lights at night
Want to Learn more?
daily routines
To work with your body’s natural rhythms (circadian rhythm), aim to keep a routine with eating and sleeping.
Circadian rhythm has a huge impact on energy, metabolic health, sleep-wake cycles, digestion, immune system & stress response. Cues from the environment can strengthen your circadian rhythm such as light, movement, food & sleep wake cycle. Morning sunlight in our eyes can be a powerful way to improve our circadian rhythm and our mood! Darkness at night is also important to have deep quality sleep.
When you disrupt your circadian rhythm, you disrupt the energy you are supposed to have during the day and the quality of restoration you have at night.
physical activity
The CDC recommends that children engaged in 60 minutes or more of moderate to vigorous physical activity per day.
In addition, for adults and kids, it’s important to avoid long periods of being sedentary. Aim to move every waking hour.
Check out the books below for ideas on how to move your whole body with no equipment needed. (Consider joining a Morning Light Mamas Walking Group).
Book suggestions: Animal Moves and My First Animal Moves
nutrition
Eating real foods (not food like) that are rich with nutrients supports the body supplying the necessary building blocks. Fake food is hard on the body to digest, often is inflammatory and leaves the body overfed but undernourished. Eating a variety of foods helps feed the gut microbiome which is important for the immune system and mental health.
Breakfast with protein is important for blood sugar regulation and setting your body up for success. Aim to avoid having “dessert” for breakfast like donuts, sugary cereals etc.
Book Suggestions: Eat Like a Dinosaur and Buddies in my Belly
stress management
Stress is unavoidable, but we can learn how to manage it and minimize the health impacts as much as possible. Learning stress management skills at an early age can help for a life-time.
The body has a calming system (parasympathetic system) and learning to activate this system can have profound health benefits.
Book suggestions: ANTS and Good Night Yoga
Resources for kids and teens
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walking groups
Let’s combine community, morning light, and movement while we walk together!
Photo credit: Jenna Lester Photography
Bee Cave Park
We’ll start walking again soon! Stay tuned for details!
Let’s walk and talk. Bring your kids, strollers, dogs, or come alone! I will be there walking unless there is heavy storms.. a little light rain won’t stop us! Sign up if you want me to keep an eye out for you, or just show up!
Thursdays at 8:30-9:30 am (excluding Thanksgiving).
Meet by the basketball court.
Sign-up
Town Lake coming soon
Let’s take advantage of our beautiful city and stroll around the lake.
Start your own group
Want to start a group near you, let me know!