It’s almost Back to School time.
There are lots of things to get used to again. But starting the day right will make the rest
of the day that much better. Two
important day-starters will give you a boost – physically, mentally, socially,
emotionally.
1. Get a good
night’s sleep. Teens require
8-11 hours of sleep to feel their best.
And a good night's sleep is also crucial for learning. It's a familiar August battle against biology
and habit, after a summer of relaxation and late bedtimes. Getting back into
the routine of waking up early is tough for everyone, but particularly for
teens, whose bodies are wired for late nights, and who face the social
pressures of after-hours texting and social networking.
Late-night texting, TV time and computer use also cut down
on the quality and quantity of sleep. Experts recommend turning off electronics
at least 30 minutes before bedtime to decompress, and removing the bright
lights that can make it harder to fall asleep.
2. Breakfast is essential for providing
nutrients and energy for the school day. Whole grain toast and whole grain cold
cereals with milk are traditionally healthy breakfasts. Choose cereals that are
low in sugar, made of whole grain and are high in vitamins and other nutrients.
Try to get out of bed in time for a sit-down breakfast each morning. If you’re
running late, eat an apple, banana or any other fresh fruit for a quick hunger
fix, then grab easy to fix breakfast food to bag and take to school: a breakfast burrito, toaster waffles, cold
pizza slice, fruit, and milk single serve.
Just make sure you get some fuel in your tank!
