It’s that time of year again, summer! Your kids have probably been daydreaming for months about this break from the video classroom and all the fun ways they’ll pass the time now that they don’t have to focus on homework and studying. No matter if they love swimming, playing tennis or biking, your kids are much more likely to be active during the warm summer months. This means it’s the perfect time to bring your child in for a chiropractic adjustment.

While it’s great that your child is filling their long summer days with more active pursuits, the sudden increase in activity can take a toll on their young bodies if they aren’t used to it. Chiropractic treatments for kids can reduce restrictions in the spine’s vertebrae. This in turn can help ease any neck or back pain that may occur as a result of your child switching from playing video games on the couch to playing in the great outdoors.

A healthy, well-adjusted immune system increases your child’s chances of staying healthy and making the most of their summer. Visiting a chiropractor for kids can also help keep your child healthy. Chiropractic treatments are shown to help boost the functions of many systems in our bodies, including the immune system.

If you are taking a family vacation on your summer break, a visit to Forest Park Chiropractic & Acupuncture can help your child’s body be better prepared for the rigors of travel. Sitting in a car, plane or train for a prolonged period of time can lead to stiffness and soreness, but by practicing preventive care with a chiropractic adjustment, both you and your child is much more likely to arrive at your destination with a healthy spine and nervous system, ready for fun! It’s also a good idea to bring your child in post-vacation for another adjustment to work out any travel-related kinks.

Kids aren’t the only ones who can benefit from regular chiropractic treatments during the summer months. Adults also tend to be a lot more active when the temperature rises. Before you sign up for that summer golf league or decide to recommit to a running routine, consider booking an appointment for an adjustment to make sure your spine and immune system are in tip-top shape.

Summers go by all too fast, and you want your child to be able to soak up every minute of it, not sit on the sidelines due to an illness or injury that could have been avoided with chiropractic care.

Here are some tips to help you maximize summer fun for you and your children:

1. Hydrate. It’s always important to get enough water, but in the summer months, the tendency to perspire and lose moisture increases. When you are overheated, you can lose body fluids faster than you may realize. So, plan to drink water throughout the day, keeping some with you whenever possible.  You may think that icy water tastes cold and refreshing, but actually, when you’re hot you’re better off with room temperature beverages – when what you’re drinking is too cold, your body uses up more energy to balance your temperature.

2. Eat healthy. Many families enjoy a summer barbecue, but it’s healthier to avoid heavy, fried, fatty and salty foods when you’re out in the heat. Instead, opt for fruits and vegetables, as they are high water-content foods, loaded with vitamins, minerals and fiber. As a special tip, WebMD recommends giving your diet a “berry boost” – adding a cup of blueberries, blackberries or strawberries supplies you with anti-oxidants which reduce the breakdown of your cells, helping you to handle the stresses of summertime and slow the aging process.

3. Manage your exposure to the sun. Contrary to public opinion, it’s very good for your health to get pure, unrestricted sunshine – just not to excess. Being in direct sunlight as little as fifteen to thirty minutes increases your Vitamin D production, good for bone and organ health as well as immune system function. It also brightens your day, not only with light but with positive energy. Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from harsh conditions and glare, but spend some time in the sun. If you’re going to be out in bright sun for any extended period, you must cover your skin, or use a natural or organic sunscreen. Stay away from heavy chemicals -- there are many products that are kind to your skin and the environment and still offer some safeguards against sunburn and sun poisoning.

4. Respect extreme heat. The Department of Health recommends that when it’s very hot out, you should avoid staying out too long in direct sunlight. Whenever possible, schedule outdoor events in the cooler part of the day, early in the morning or later in the afternoon. Wear light-colored, lightweight clothes, and dress in layers so you can negotiate movement between cold, air-conditioned indoor areas and hot outdoor areas. Drink extra fluids. Watch out for kids, seniors and those with serious illnesses. And of course, anyone who is acting strangely disoriented, who is not sweating appropriately, or who complains of nausea may be experiencing heat stroke, a dangerous condition, and should seek help immediately.

5. Practice safe sports and exercise. Water sports and boating are fun and exhilarating, but can also carry risks that can be easily warded off with a little common-sense decision-making. Guard against unnecessary hazards by observing a few simple rules – for example, never swim alone, and wear a life jacket when out on the water. And replenish your natural sunscreen after you swim. When playing rigorous sports in the heat, make sure to drink lots of water, avoid excessive exertion, and if you need to cool down, don’t push it, listen to your body.

6. Consider a vacation. You can visit relatives, head for the beach, or just create a relaxing stay-cation in your own home or neighborhood – but taking a breather from your ordinary routine refreshes your attitude as well as your body.

Vacations can reduce stress for the whole family. But research shows that vacations are not only good for us, they’re also good for our kids. From providing much-needed family time in our overworked world to making kids smarter, packing up for a family trip can be well worth the effort and expense.

When you take some time off work, it can help reduce your kids’ stress. The Travel Association survey found that 77% percent of kids reported feeling no stress at all when their parents made more time for family time. Even a single day off can help. While only 19% of kids in the survey reported being in a good mood on an average day, that number soared to 60% when parents took time off to spend with them.

Vacations promote family bonding. By contrast, shared life experiences outside the normal routine can bring families closer together. Research reported by The Washington Post shows that the amount of time you spend with your kids isn’t what matters; it’s what you do with them in that time that counts. If you spend lots of time with your kids, but it’s in front of screens, it won’t matter as much to them as the occasional family board game night or family camping trip.

Travel provides plenty of time for families to spend together, whether that means hiking through caverns, riding roller coasters, swimming with dolphins, or sitting around a campfire. It frees families from the everyday distractions of work, school, and daily routines and gives them a chance to enjoy each other’s company.

Finding the perfect summer activity is not as hard as you think. You can also be creative and find joy in things you can do in your backyard. Tree planting, exercise outside and biking together can also be fun and are great ways to also increase wellness and improve health.

Remember no matter what fun activity you and your family do, be well prepared. We like to ensure the total body wellness of our patients, so have fun and come see us to tell us about your adventures. A healthy spine is the key to a healthy life. Call today for your appointment.

Don’t be a stranger this summer!