5 Ways To Boost Your Child’s Magic
Do you ever find yourself looking to give your child’s mood a boost? Today’s child is inundated with technology. This can often result in children becoming stagnant both physically and mentally. Couple that with the demanding schedules we face as parents, and we are often left looking for convenient options when it comes to diet and entertainment.
Luckily, science has provided us with the research on how to naturally give our children a boost. By impacting their bodies on a physiological level, these 5 things can make a lasting impact on any child’s mood.
1. MOVE
There is overwhelming evidence that moving one’s body, elicits a chemical release of the body’s natural feel good chemicals. As adults we often associate moving our bodies with going to the gym, however, there are so many more options you can provide your child. They can dance, they can play Simon says, they can play tag, they can ride a bike, they can go for a walk, play their favorite sport, or even just play make-believe outside with a friend. It doesn’t matter what they do, so long as they are moving their bodies constantly. Getting your child to move around for at least 60 minutes, keeps them feeling good and relaxed for the rest of the day. It also promotes a healthy appetite and allows the body to get a goodnight’s sleep.
2. EAT HEALTHY
By the time we are adults, we already have a preconceived notion about what this means. I know a member of my family loves to say “I don’t want to eat like a rabbit.” That is not at all what eating healthy means. Just a few subtle changes can go a long way. Instead of letting your child grab their sugary treat, offer fruit instead. Naturally occurring sugars, as opposed to processed sugars, are better utilized by the body. They also have lower glycemic levels, which are helpful in avoiding the dreaded sugar crashes. This same information can be used when selecting a drink. Water is great for children, as they are likely to need a lot of hydration, due to their active nature. Eating a balanced diet of vegetables, grains, and proteins help give your child’s body the natural fuel they need to not only keep going, but keep growing!
3. REST
Almost every child will look to extend their day whenever possible. Do you find that right before bed your child is more inclined to do homework? Perhaps they are more willing to assist in chores around the home. Whatever the reason may be, the child is hoping to stay up just a little bit longer. At least that means they are enjoying their day right? Information from the Sleep Foundation has shown that children need between 8-11 hours of sleep each night. Not only do children need to rest and recharge, they also need the rest for their bodies to recover and grow. When you open your eyes in the morning, the light waves reach the back of your brain to the pineal gland, which releases serotonin. Serotonin makes you feel good, which is why children feel great in the morning when they wake up on their own. Get them enough rest and they will wake up in a good mood!
4. FEEL GOOD
This one almost sounds so obvious, yet so often we ignore it. In attempting to parent, we often are forcing our children into situations that they are resisting, rather than letting them do something they enjoy. This doesn’t mean you child doesn’t have to clean up, eat, sleep, or anything else that is important. Instead, allowing your child to engage in something that makes them feel good, will result in your child’s mood being good as well. As a result, getting them to do something they might not enjoy will become that much easier. Children naturally love to help, they love to feel capable, and they love to feel their contributions are important. When they are in a good mood, they are much more likely to be receptive to activities that the might not otherwise normally enjoy.
5. BELIEVE IN THEM
A lot of internal battles your child will have, often will be rooted in their beliefs, or lack thereof, in themselves. By utilizing tools that help your child believe in themselves, it will allow them to embrace challenges, as well as handle failures. Furthermore, when your child encounters negative behaviors from other children, they will be less easily rattled. What this ensures is that factors that might make one feel bad, will be less impactful on your child. Having the belief in their ability to preserver, will keep them feeling good and moving forward.
Boosting your child’s mood starts from within. Once they are strong internally, they are ready to face the challenges that may come their way. As a result, you will have child that feels good, and in turn you will feel good too!
Founder/CEO
OH-KS
Rachna Patel is the founder of OH-KS Corporation, a company that creates one-of-a-kind programs and materials, to help children ultimately become happy, healthy, confident, have a strong growth mindset, and so much more. To learn more about their latest products, you can visit their website at www.OH-KS.com
