Richmond Make the Most of Summer with Healthy Habits and Chiropractic!
Summer is the ideal time to sow the seeds of healthy habits that will promote health for you and your family throughout the whole year. With sunny days and longer daylight hours, it's easier to get outside and be active. But how do you make the most of this season to improve your health? This Richmond chiropractic blog post is designed for chiropractic patients, parents, kids, teens, fitness beginners, and health enthusiasts. Johnson Chiropractic explores and presents the benefits of gardening and building good nutrition and fitness habits during the summer. Let's dig in!
The Benefits of Gardening for Everyone: Mental & Physical
Gardening is more than just a relaxing hobby; it is a natural way to increase your health and well-being. According to a new study by Demark-Wahnefried et al., gardening significantly enhances physical and mental health outcomes, particularly for older adults. (1) Just planting, tending, and harvesting keeps you physically active and mentally engaged, reducing stress and improving mood. As a type of moderate exercise, gardening makes your heart rate rise and aids in building strength. Activities like digging, planting, and weeding can burn calories and improve flexibility. For chiropractic patients, these activities can be a mild way to keep active without straining the joints too much. And spending time in nature has been shown to lower anxiety and depression. The repetitive tasks of gardening can be meditative, allowing a sense of accomplishment that boosts self-esteem. For kids and teens, gardening offers a break from screen time and an opportunity to learn responsibility.
Reaping the Garden's Goods: Nutritional and Educational
The fruits and vegetables depend on you! When you grow your own garden, the produce is not just fresh; they are chockful with nutrients. Homegrown produce is apt to be richer in vitamins and minerals since you manage the growing conditions. A study by Zhang et al. in American Journal of Clinical Nutrition wrote that high-quality fruit and vegetable intake is linked with better cardiometabolic health and less risk of chronic diseases. (2) It’s reported that when kids and teens join in gardening, they understand better where their food comes from. This knowledge can promote a greater appreciation for healthy eating. Parents can use this chance to teach their children about various types of fruits and vegetables and their nutritional benefits. Additionally, gardening can be an excellent way to show teamwork, patience, and the rewards of hard work. Who of us Richmond folks doesn’t need more of that? We all do at Johnson Chiropractic.
Building Good Nutrition and Fitness Habits for Youth in Summer
Summer is the ideal time to introduce your kids to all types of nutritious foods and healthy activities. Encourage activities like bike riding, swimming, hiking, or even simple games like tag or frisbee….and gardening! According to Bonner et al., integrating physical, psychological, and educational health in youth during summer programs, like the THINK - The Translational Health in Nutrition and Kinesiology - program proves quite helpful in creating a holistic approach to health. (3) You can design your own THINK program at home! Children are more likely to adopt healthy habits if they see their parents and caregivers doing them. Take advantage of seasonal produce like berries, watermelon, and leafy greens. Create fun and colorful salads, smoothies, and snacks that appeal to young taste buds while delivering essential vitamins and minerals. Make fitness and nutrition a family affair by scheduling active outings, cooking healthy meals together, talking about the importance of a balanced diet and regular exercise, and integrating chiropractic spinal manipulation into the mix for overall Richmond spinal health.
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Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Kim Lombardy on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he illustrates a patient story of The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management, treatment and nutritional support, helped decrease the need for opioids.
