Keeping the Sniffles Out of Your House - Preventing the Spring Cold

As a runner I have a some common fears which include shin splints, stress fractures, and plantar fasciitis. But as a mother and runner my biggest fear is the flu (even a cold). It's just my luck, the moment Mother Nature graces us with beautiful weather I get a phone call at work about MG being sick. I spent my lunch time searching "Spring Flu", "Preventing Flu", and "toddler colds". How is a mom to deal? From my findings in my Google research and my personal experience, here are some tips on making sure you prevent or beat the spring flu.

Eat Foods that Fight the Flu and Common Cold
There are some good flu fighting foods out there. They include foods rich in calcium (vitamin D is good at helping fight germs), vitamin C enriched fruits and veggies (oranges and red bell peppers), green tea (helps relieve inflammation), berries full of antioxidants (blueberries and strawberries), and healthy carbohydrates (full of zinc).

Take Everyday Precautions
- Wash hands with soap and water.
- Cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze.
- Stay away from touching your face (mouth, nose, and eyes).
- If your child is sick DON'T SEND THEM TO SCHOOL! If you are sick stay home from work.
-Disinfect. Germs can live up to three hours on objects, so if you have a sick child clean door handles, toys, and anything else your child may have touched, sneezed on, or licked.

Exercise
One of the easiest ways to combat the cold and flu is to stay healthy.  If you are not feeling sick try not to skip your workout. If you start to feel sick transfer your workout routine to your house and complete what you can comfortably do in your current condition.

Get Fresh Air
Since the weather is warmer, open your windows to let some fresh air in. It will help energize everyone stuck indoors. If you and the kids are up for a walk, take one. Just make sure you stay away from other children and playgrounds. Sometimes fresh air is exactly what a sick family needs.

I wish everyone a cold/flu free spring!

Carin Gorrell (March 13, 2012). 10 Best Foods to Fight Off Your Spring Cold and Flu. Posted on ABC News

How to Encourage Physical Activity

As a developmental physiologist, creator and researcher of technology, a runner and mother I have addressed the question, "how can we encourage children (as well as adults) to be more physically active?" A majority of the technology we have in our everyday environments encourages a sedentary lifestyle (television, game counsels, remote controls, motion sensor lights)... think of it we have the CLAPPER! The form of technology that makes it possible to turn off lights with only clapping our hands. We have become lazy. I am not saying that all technology is bad, I am an advocate of properly developed technology that enhances learning and experience. But I feel that our society has reached a point where we have gone overboard.

When I saw a picture of a line to take an escalator with no one on the stairs, it made me think, "how can we change this?" There's a group who has developed, what they call, the fun theory. They installed a music device in a flight of stairs to make taking the stairs fun. What resulted was an amazing outcome of people opting out of taking the escalator. Those who used the stairs ranged in ages infant to elderly. The concept of making a daunting/exhausting task fun will ultimately give way to people voluntarily experiencing and taking part of the task itself, ie climbing stairs.




But, the fact of matter is, we usually don't have access to musical stairs. So how do you make your kids excited to take the harder path less traveled?... make it a game and get the whole family involved. Buy a set of pedometers and give one to each family member (you can get pedometer as cheap as $9.00, equal to a ticket to see a movie at the theater!) Explain how a pedometer works to your children and set ground rules like (1) we use it on weekends (2) the winner chooses the next family activity.. etc (really whatever works for your family). This isn't only great for getting your whole family moving, but making everyone realize how much or little they move.

We don't need musical stairs. We do need motivation because the technology we have in our homes is very enticing!