Back to School: Healthy habits

A new school year is the chance to get the family back on track with healthier habits.

News 12 Staff

Sep 4, 2019, 11:21 AM

Updated 1,689 days ago

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A new school year is the chance to get the family back on track with healthier habits.
Dr. Delaney Gracy, the director of clinical services at Montefiore, says nutrition and health is crucial for creating a happy and healthy school year.
"If you can stabilize the sleep, the nutrition, reduce the stress of the families in the mornings, that is a really big deal and can help the kids a lot," says Dr. Gracy.
When it comes to sleep, experts say children should start their new sleep routine early.
"Watching the phone right before bed makes you not sleep," says Dr. Gracy.
She says not only to limit screen time before bed, but to limit screen time in general.
Dr. Gracy suggest spending more time outdoors and doing things like taking a walk through the park instead of spending so much time scrolling.
"It tends to numb you out and maybe not worry about something that is bothering you," says Dr. Gracy.
She also says it is important to spend time as a family, whether it be at the table or on the couch.
"In an often-over-scheduled world, that time to just be with friends, be with family and not have a list of things you must do is really important," says Dr. Gracy.
Experts advise people to use the start of the new school year as a start of a healthier lifestyle.
"The start of school is really good because it can kind of force that reset, so it’s good to ride that energy and make some positive changes for yourself and for your family," says Dr. Gracy.


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