September to December is the “Season of Indulgence.” As a society, we quicken our pace, sleep less, indulge more in sweets, rich foods and drinks, start jobs, school, and all traditional sports for kids begin. Fairs and festivals can crowd every weekend with edible indulgences from fried Twinkies, Oreos and bananas to savory truffle fries, corn dogs, and hot BBQ. Halloween, Thanksgiving and all the December holidays have children of all ages indulging in foods and staying out late—even the strictest of parents aren’t exempt from this rite of passage. At the same time society is overindulging, we turn the clocks back, and sunlight keeps slipping from our days until we meet the shortest day of sunlight on December 22.
Few are free from the stress of this season of indulgence. Many of you are starting a new job, new school for your kids, have a child trying out for the seasonal sports team, sending one off to college or dealing with the high emotions our secondary families can bring on for the holiday season. The shift from the slower easier flow of summer days to the early rise and hectic schedules brought on by September—this season of indulgence—starts what is conventionally known as the ‘flu season.’
Here's how to stay healthy during this season of indulgence:
● Move to more warm and cooked meals. As the temperatures fall, our bodies need warm, hearty meals rather than raw salads, cold smoothies and cereals. Eat for the season. Seek out those fruits and vegetables currently in season. Make breakfast the largest meal of the day rather than dinner. Most children eat their largest meal in the earlier part of the day rather than at dinner time, which is when most families are offering meat and vegetables that are often left untouched. For breakfast, consider soups or leftover dinner for breakfast including meats and vegetables.
● Do less. If you look over the week and feel stressed about all of your planned events, cut back. Kids need far more downtime than they typically get each week. Cut back according to your lifestyle. This will look different from one family to the next as we all move at different paces. Attempt to ‘cushion’ the days where no one wants to miss out on any events. Cushioning weeks that have many happy busy events planned means making sure on those days you take extra care to feed your family well, give them a supplemental immune support like elderberry, and aim for optimal sleep.
● Go to bed earlier. As the sun sets and rises daily, so does the level of melatonin in our bodies. It is important to recognize this shift and adjust accordingly. Children are especially in tune with nature in this regard. In the Northeast, U.S., June 21st is the longest day of sunshine each year when we indulge in some 15 hours of sunlight. Each year, around December 21st, we have but 9 hours of sunlight. Plan on adjusting your child’s (and your own) bedtime to that of the setting of the sun. A good guide is to make this adjustment when we turn the clocks back in October and continue to adjust through the season. If you pay attention, you will see that not only your child, but also you will feel tired earlier in the evening, as we march towards the shortest day of sunlight.
Remember, every family moves to a different rhythm and pace. Make adjustments that are relative to your family's lifestyle and you will lessen the chance of illnesses so common during this season of the year.
More About Jennifer Zethner, RN, MS, CPNP
Jennie Zethner has been working with children since 1995. She graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Adelphi University in 1995 and she received her Master of Science and Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) degrees from Stony Brook University in 2000. She is certified by the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board.
Jennie is blessed to be a mom of three children since 2002. Combined with her professional and personal experiences with children, Jennie is passionately dedicated to her privately owned unique pediatric practice; Simply Pediatrics, which is located close to her hometown.
Jennie provides primary care to children ages 0-21y from a holistic perspective. At every well-child and sick visit, Jennie’s goal is to optimize your child’s health, avoiding the common obstacles that can lead to illness and including parents in the health decisions of their child.
Jennie’s approach is unique. With over 25 years of experience, she can easily identify the present and potential obstacles and triggers that lead to the root causes of so many of the chronic childhood conditions we see today including colic, constipation, eczema, asthma, allergies, chronic ear infections, chronic congestion and cough, picky eaters, developmental delays, speech delays, academic issues, autism, chronic strep, anxiety, ADHD, OCD, depression, sleep issues and so on.
Do you want to learn more? If you would like to seek additional support with Jennifer Zethner, RN, MS, CPNP, Holistic Pediatric Nurse Practitioner/Holistic Primary Care, please call the Northport Wellness Center at (631) 262-8505.
