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September 4, 2014 

September is about beginnings. School re-entry can be exciting and nerve-wracking. Teachers, classes, friends- it is hard to know what to expect. Even if we or our children are not heading back to school, September, for many, still feels like a new year. Vacations come to an end and business activity picks up. Exhilaration- and some anxiety- fills the air.

 

We leave the relaxed pace of summer and return to the more fixed schedules of classes, extracurricular activity and homework- negotiated around busy parental schedules. It is critical to maintain a healthy balance among work, play, food, exercise and sleep. Make a commitment to improved sleep health, and it will be easier to meet success everywhere. 

 

Make A Commitment to Health!
The Mind-Body Connection 
Evidence shows that being well rested positively correlates to improved mood, memory and performance at school and work; it also decreases stress and anxiety. Sleep deprivation is linked to Attention Deficit Disorder and increased risks of stroke and heart attack, motor vehicle accidents and obesity.

                       

September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. One in three children is either overweight or obese. Fewer than 5% of us engage in vigorous physical activity each day yet 80% of us watch television or movies daily; children watch for 28-32 hours per week. Childhood obesity puts kids at risk for health problems that were once seen only in adults, like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.

 

Childhood obesity is preventable. Get active individually and as a family. Physical activity helps with school performance too; research demonstrates that more highly fit children outperform their less fit peers on tasks of cognitive control, memory and academic achievement.  Prepare healthy foods and eat healthy snacks. And most importantly, make sure that you and your child get plenty of sleep. 

Create Core Fitness Habits:
  • Establish a consistent sleep schedule for your family, even on the weekends. Turn off all electronics an hour before bedtime to maximize sleep health.
  • Encourage physical activity daily, whether walking, running, dancing or other. In addition to revving up the metabolism, it revs up the mind.
  • Limit eating out; it is too hard to monitor food quality and quantity. Cooking healthy meals together can be a fun family activity.
  • Take time to play every day- even if only for a short period. Laugh and have fun.
  • Hydrate: it improves all bodily functions. We lose significant fluids even while sleeping so drink water in the morning and throughout the day to replenish.
  • Practice deep breathing every day- it is a simple and effective way to de-stress.
    • Take Action and Get Positive Results 

    Begin the year with strength.  Set S.M.A.R.T (Smart, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely) goals. Seek consultation if you need help getting started. 

     

    At Core Counseling, you can pursue Mind-Body Wellness through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness and other therapeutic techniques.  

    To find out more or to schedule an appointment, call me at Core Counseling, LLC: 201.875.5699. Experience a comfortable, private and confidential environment with an atmosphere of encouragement, optimism and compassion. Together we can find solutions to your core issues. "It is health that is real wealth, and not pieces of gold and silver."  -Ghandi 

    In Health,

    Lisa Fedder, MSW, LCSW, LCADC
    www.corecounselingsolutions.com
    560 Sylvan Avenue                     108 Baker Street
    Englewood Cliffs, NJ  07632       Maplewood, NJ  07040
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