Posted August 26, 2011 - 7:46am by Tracy
Back to School, Back to School — for me too
Last summer around this time, I interviewed Dr. Jerrel Boyer about tips on how to keep backs healthy and strong during the textbook-laden school days.
I figured the audience for the article, “Back to school, back packs and back health,” was basically parents, elementary school kids and maybe a handful of teenagers out there who don’t know everything quite yet.
But then, I went back to school part-time for my master’s degree last spring.
With a jumbo-sized black hole of a purse on one shoulder, a 20-pound textbook-filled back pack slung over the other, and one sore lower back, I quickly realized that I was the one who needed a refresher course on backpack safety.
So, with work in full swing and fall classes starting up again next week, I decided to see how other back-to-school-related tips shared on Well Community can apply to my own life this school year:
Healthy packed lunches. Like any school kid, I get tired of my packed lunches quickly. And on busy mornings when I leave home without something for lunch (and sometimes dinners on my really long days) fast food places start looking better and better. So I’m going to try out some tips from registered dietitian and Eating Well blogger, Kate Kinne. Last fall in a piece about “Having a plan” she advised readers to pack healthy snacks and meals for the next day in the evening, so they are ready to go in the morning when you grab your keys.
I might also attend an upcoming event at Whole Foods Market Sauganash, “Creating a Healthy Lunch Box,” to get more tips. If you have other to-go meal ideas for me — or for parents sending their kids off to class — chime in here.
Homework help. Just like kids balancing school activities and school work, I am balancing my own priorities, centered around my marriage, my extended family, work and school. But as Caitlin McGrath, a personal trainer and wellness coach mentioned in our article, “Good coaching for the game of life,” exercise, being social and downtime are also important to a good balance — and I intend to make those a priority as well.
Don’t slouch in class. I remember slumping and slouching at my desks in high school and college, and my bad habits seem to have followed me until today. But after reading about how bad posture can impact back health, the importance of core strength and the benefits of good posture, I have resolved to keep my shoulders back, engage my core muscles and sit on my yoga ball at my desk.
What back-to-school tips can you apply to your adult life? Chime in on the discussion below and let me know!
Comments (0)