The pandemic has
helped us learn at least two vital messages very well. We all learned not to
take anything in life for granted. Not family gatherings, events, our daily
schedules, hugs – or even our own breath. We’ve learned to appreciate
everything more as we now have seen that it can all be taken away – and
quickly.
Another vital
message we have learned is how important it is to strengthen our immune
systems. When young people are given the chance to joyfully learn the skills
needed to keep the immune system strong from a very early age, we are doing
what is within our power to help them lead healthy, happy, and long lives.
It helps to let
children know that our bodies were designed to move. Being sedentary is
not beneficial for our health. In fact, our lymphatic system is stimulated
by our movement, and we need our lymphatic system to circulate within our
bodies to help fight off germs.
It is also helpful
to teach children that the more processed food is, the more it has been
depleted of its natural fiber, water, and nutrients. Whole natural foods were
designed to be delicious and nutritious, while over-processed foods were
designed to be delicious and addictive. The processed foods cause
inflammation in our blood vessels, which actually draw nutrients out of our
bodies in order for the unnatural food to be digested. This leads to health
problems over time.
The body is better
equipped with the strength and energy to fight off germs when it is provided
with an adequate amount of sleep. Getting enough sleep is a mood booster,
too.
Brushing teeth and
washing hands with soap is vital – even when it doesn’t appear that way to
children – and that’s because germs are so tiny that they can’t be seen
with our eyes.
Too much stress
also weakens the ability of the immune system to fight off germs. That’s why
learning calming skills, reframing, and gratitude exercises in childhood is
extremely beneficial.
We learn in Pirkei Avos (Ethics of the Fathers) 4:19,
“When someone learns as a child, what is it like? Ink written on fresh paper.”
It sinks in and makes an impression that lasts. The earlier children can
internalize the facts about the physical and spiritual nourishment they need to
thrive throughout life, the better.
It takes about 400
repetitions to form new synapses in the brain that create new habit patterns.
It takes only 10 to 20 repetitions to create new and good habits when done
playfully, however, according to research conducted by Dr. Karyn Purvis. So
what’s the quickest way to make positive changes? Joyfully!
My newest book for
young children, Let’s Stay Healthy,
joyfully explains why it is important to eat food that is both delicious and
nutritious – instead of those that are chemically manipulated to be delicious
and addictive. An orange was designed with infinite intelligence and
beneficence, while an orange-flavored Tangy Taffy really provides nothing good
for us besides the immediate sensation. This new book also makes clear why
exercise, basic hygiene, and getting enough sleep all help us to stay healthy as
well – through simple language and bright illustrations that young children can
now cheerfully digest.
May
everyone be blessed with a sweet, happy, and healthy New Year!
Bracha Goetz is the Harvard-educated author of 40
books that help children’s souls shine, including her newest picture book, Let’s Stay Healthy,
available here: www.goetzbookshop.com and in Jewish bookstores. Her books can be
found on the Bracha Goetz Amazon Author Page: /www.amazon.com/author/spiritualkidsbooks-brachagoetz.
