5 of the Best Ways to Keep Kids Healthy During the Holidays
- Keith Rowe
Of the many responsibilities parents have during the holiday season, making sure their kids are safe and healthy is among the most important. But with the demands of holiday shopping, wrapping gifts, making travel plans, preparing the big holiday meals, and putting up decorations, it’s easy to overlook some of the basics, like making sure your kids are getting proper nutrition. Unfortunately, the holidays are a time of the year where maintaining a healthy diet can be extremely challenging.
Holiday feasts often come with a variety of unhealthy menu selections, especially desserts, which are loaded with fat and sugar. Since sugar weakens the immune system (which increases the chances of getting sick) be sure to closely monitor your children’s sugar intake.
Getting proper physical exercise is usually a challenge when it starts getting colder outside. Winter months also have reduced hours of sunlight, so maintaining optimal vitamin D levels is crucial in staving off sickness. With longer lines and shorter days, another area of life that can suffer from the busyness of the seasons is sleep.
With so many things to consider during this hectic time of the year, here are some practical ways to keep your kids healthy during the winter months.
5 Ways to Keep Your Kids Healthy for the Holidays
Eat from the Rainbow
This does NOT mean Skittles or jelly beans. It means teaching your children to eat healthy fruits and vegetables in assorted colors, such as blueberries, spinach, pomegranates, yellow squash, and red bell peppers, at every meal. Challenge your kids to eat meals that consist of every color of the rainbow… And don’t forget to set the example!
Disguise Healthy Snacks
Even the pickiest kids are more likely to try new foods when they’re disguised as boats, cars, butterflies, or cows. Learn how you can make a healthy penguin snack.
Get Nutritional Support
Studies have shown that an alarmingly high percentage of children eat less than the minimum daily allowance of many essential nutrients and that modern foods don’t meet children’s needs for those nutrients. Adding an expertly designed multivitamin/mineral supplement to your kids’ diet can help provide the nutritional support they need. BrainMD’s Kids’ NeuroVite Chewables were designed to bridge any nutritional gaps and take the guesswork out of which multivitamin to use for your kids. Our science-based formulation provides generous amounts of nutrients to support the brain’s maturation over the long term. Children LOVE the taste of the orange-flavored penguin chewables which are free from sugar, dairy, gluten, wheat, eggs, and artificial colorings or flavorings.
Bundle Up
It’s common for kids to forget to put on a jacket or hat when rushing outside for a fun activity. Ensure that your kids stay warm by dressing them in layers. Also, monitor their time to make sure they don’t stay outside too long or after dark when temperatures can rapidly plummet.
Indoor Activities
Instead of sitting around the TV all day, get up and do a fun activity inside your house. There are many ways to get the blood flowing without facing the elements or contracting pneumonia. Examples of indoor activities are musical chairs, scavenger hunts or hula hoop contests.
Managing everyday stress and balancing your life will allow you to fully enjoy the seasons and focus on what matters most…your friends and family. Implementing these strategies can help keep you and your kids happy and healthy during the holidays.
For a complete list of Dr. Amen’s brain healthy supplements, visit the online store at BrainMD.
Meet Our Expert
Dr. Parris Kidd
Dr. Parris Kidd, Ph.D., is a pioneering authority in nutritional medicine with a background in zoology and cellular biology from UC Berkeley. His work includes influential research on brain nutrients like PS and GPC, award-winning supplement formulations, and extensive publications. Formerly Chief Science Officer at leading supplement companies, Dr. Kidd is widely respected for his contributions to nutritional science and his commitment to integrity.
Meet the Author
Keith Rowe
Keith has been a member of the BrainMD team for the past 7 years. Serving as copywriter and editor, he has written 400 blogs and has been involved with the launch of 32 new supplements. He takes many BrainMD supplements daily and his favorite is Neuro-C Vitamin C due to its efficacy and energizing citrus flavor.
Head injuries, ranging from mild concussions to severe traumatic brain injuries (TBI), can have a negative effect on mental and physical health. Whether the result of a sports injury, vehicle accident, or fall, head injuries can have a lasting impact on an individual’s quality of life.
A common question many people have is: Can the brain be repaired over time?
Let’s explore the brain’s capacity for recovery, the factors influencing rehabilitation, and some practical ways to prevent head injuries.
Can the Brain Recover from a Head Injury?
Once a head injury has occurred, recovery becomes complex and highly individualized process. The degree of recovery often depends on the extent of the damage.
• Mild Injuries: For individuals with mild head injuries, such as minor concussions, the brain can often fully recover, especially if proper care is taken early on. However, it’s important to closely follow medical advice, get adequate rest, and avoid risky behaviors and activities that might reaggravate or worsen the condition.
• Moderate to Severe Injuries: For moderate to severe head injuries, full recovery is less certain. While some brain functions may be restored soon after the event, others may only slightly improve over an extended period. Individuals who experience partial recovery may still have an acceptable quality of life. However, those who’ve experienced significant brain injury may never recover to the level of pre-trauma functionality.
So, what allows the brain to rejuvenate from injury? One of the main factors involved in brain recovery is neuroplasticity.
What Is Neuroplasticity?
One of the most fascinating aspects of the brain is its ability to adapt and repair itself after an injury, due to a process known as neuroplasticity.
Neuroplasticity refers to the brain’s capacity to reorganize and form new neural connections in response to injury. This means that if one part of the brain is damaged, other parts may take over its functions. For example, if a region of the brain responsible for speech is injured, other areas may adapt and help regain the lost function over time.
Neuroplasticity can play a pivotal role in recovery from head injuries,¹ especially in the early stages.
Mechanisms of Brain Repair
While neuroplasticity is a central mechanism in brain repair, other factors also may contribute to the recovery process. Some of these include:
Neurogenesis is the process by which new neurons (brain cells) are created. In certain regions of the brain, like the hippocampus (responsible for memory and learning), neurogenesis can help replace damaged cells and promote recovery.
Synaptic Plasticity refers to the strengthening or weakening of synapses (the connections between neurons). When the brain experiences an injury, synaptic plasticity can help reestablish lost connections or enhance existing ones, improving cognitive function.
Glial Cells provide support and protection for neurons. After an injury, glial cells can help in the repair process by removing debris,² reducing inflammation, and facilitating the regeneration of neural pathways.
Factors That Influence Brain Recovery
Many things can affect the brain’s recovery process, including:
• Age: Younger brains tend to recover more quickly and completely than older brains, due to their more robust neuroplasticity and neurogenesis capabilities.
• General Health: A person’s overall physical and mental health can significantly impact the recovery process. Factors such as nutrition, exercise, sleep, and stress levels all can play vital roles in recovery.
• Early Intervention: The sooner a person receives appropriate care and rehabilitation, the better their chances of recovery. Early intervention – including physical therapy, cognitive rehabilitation, and nutritional support – may help accelerate the healing process.
• Severity and Location of Injury: The severity of the injury and the area of the brain affected are crucial factors in determining recovery. Injuries to critical areas responsible for motor skills, speech, or memory may have greater long-term effects than injuries to other regions.
General Timeline and Expectations for Recovery
The timeline for brain recovery can vary widely depending on the severity of the injury:
Mild Concussions: Most individuals with a mild concussion may experience noticeable recovery within 7-10 days, provided they get plenty of rest and avoid activities that could further exacerbate their condition.
Moderate to Severe Head Injuries: It may take months, or even years, to recover from moderate to severe TBIs. While some individuals may experience significant improvements in the short-term, others may face long-term challenges. Rehabilitation strategies – such as physical, occupational, and speech therapy – may be recommended for months or years after the injury.
In many cases, brain recovery is a slow and ongoing process. It’s essential for patients to set realistic expectations and remain patient while actively participating in their recovery plan.
5 of the Best Ways to Prevent a Head Injury
Preventing brain injury should be a top priority for anyone who has experienced a head injury in the past or who is at risk of sustaining one. Here are some practical tips to help reduce the risk of sustaining a head injury:
1. Wear Protective Gear
If you participate in sports or activities with a risk of head injury, such as cycling, football, or skiing, always wear the appropriate protective gear (e.g., helmets, mouthguards, etc.). If you have kids, you might consider steering them away from high-risk sports and toward brain healthy ones instead.
2. Follow Safety Protocols
Always adhere to safety guidelines, whether on the job, in sports, or during recreational activities. Avoid risky behaviors that could lead to falls or accidents.
3. Monitor Symptoms
After a head injury, closely monitor for symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, or confusion, and seek out prompt medical care if needed. Early detection of these symptoms may help prevent further damage.
4. Take Time to Recover
Don’t rush back into physical activities after an injury. It’s important to give the brain time to rest and rejuvenate. Gradually ease back into activities and listen to your body for signs that you’re overdoing it.
5. Maintain Overall Health
Good nutrition, regular physical activity, adequate sleep, and stress management can all contribute to better brain health and a quicker recovery.
Recovery is a Journey
The brain is an incredibly resilient organ. While complete restoration from a head injury isn’t always possible, the potential for recovery is substantial. Neuroplasticity allows the brain to reorganize and form new connections, which can significantly aid in the recovery process.
By understanding the brain’s restorative mechanisms and taking proactive steps to prevent head injuries, individuals can better navigate the recovery process and improve their long-term outcomes.
NOTE: Always consult with a healthcare professional for personalized advice and treatment plans tailored to your specific needs.
At BrainMD, we’re dedicated to providing the highest quality supplements to improve your physical health and overall well-being. For more information about our full list of brain healthy supplements, please visit us at BrainMD.
These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This content is for informational purposes only. It is not meant to substitute for medical or healthcare advice from a physician, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your healthcare provider before beginning a new health regimen.
References:
1. Zotey, V., Andhale, A., Shegekar, T., & Juganavar, A. (2023). Adaptive neuroplasticity in brain injury recovery: Strategies and insights. Cureus, 15(9), e45873. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.45873
2. Neumann, H., Kotter, M. R., & Franklin, R. J. M. (2008). Debris clearance by microglia: An essential link between degeneration and regeneration. Brain, 132(2), 288–295. https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/a
Skip to content
