PLAYGROUND SAFETY

The National Safety Council reports that playground injuries send more than 200,000 children each year to hospital emergency rooms. Keep your children and other loved ones safe. Check your backyard and neighborhood playgrounds for safety issues. Key safety needs include smooth-edged equipment, guardrails and at least 12 inches of soft ground surfaces, such as mulch or pea gravel.


Source:  National Safety Council

CHOCOLATE MILK: THE NEW SPORTS DRINK

Serious and recreational athletes alike are returning to a childhood favorite—chocolate milk—in place of more common sports drinks. When pitted against commercial sports recovery drinks, several new studies have found that chocolate milk is the superior beverage when it comes to post-exercise recovery and fluid replacement. Chocolate milk is 90 percent water, so it’s ideal for rehydration. It also has the perfect combination of carbohydrates and protein to refuel a tired athlete’s body, and it’s packed with many other nutrients including calcium and vitamins A and D.

Source: Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism

MAY IS NATIONAL BIKE MONTH

May is a great month to tuneup your bike (or consider investing in
one) and get outside for a ride on the road or a trail. Cycling is an excellent aerobic exercise that can be enjoyed by the entire family.
Have you ever considered bicycling to work?  This year, Bike-to-Work Week is May 16-20. Biking reduces your carbon footprint (your impact on the environment) and traffic congestion; it also helps you burn calories and save money.  To learn about bike safety, go to www.bikeed.org.


Source:  League of American Bicyclists

UNDERSTANDING HYPOGLYCEMIA

Hypoglycemia or low blood sugar occurs when a person's blood sugar becomes too low¯generally below 70 mg/dl. Common symptoms include:
shaking, sweating, weakness, headaches and a rapid heart rate. It is most common in diabetics taking medicine to lower their blood sugar; however, anyone may experience these symptoms from time to time because of skipped meals or too much exercise. To prevent these reactions, try to establish regular meal times, consume a high-fiber diet, and eat a balance of carbohydrates, lean proteins and unsaturated fats at each meal. If symptoms persist, consult your doctor.


Source: Joslin Diabetes Center

THE GIFT OF KNOWLEDGE

Of all the gifts a woman can pass on to her daughters, the gift of knowledge about bone health is one of the most important. About 85-90 percent of adult bone mass is acquired by age 18 in girls and by age 20 in boys. Osteoporosis does affect men as well, but about 80 percent of those affected are women. The following steps can help prevent
osteoporosis: get the daily recommended amounts of calcium and vitamin D; engage in regular weight-bearing and muscle-strengthening exercise; avoid smoking and excessive alcohol; and talk to your health care provider about bone health.


Source: National Osteoporosis Foundation

DON'T FORGET THE HELMET SORES

Did you know that bicycle helmet use has been estimated to reduce head injury risk by 85 percent? Always wear a helmet when riding a bike.
Look for one approved by the ANSI (American National Standards
Institute) or the Snell Memorial Foundation to ensure safety and quality. Help your children make it a habit to put on their helmets before getting on their bikes, just like putting on their seatbelts when they get in a car.


Source:  Bike Helmet Safety Institute

STAYING CONNECTED IS BAD FOR SLEEP

Is your computer, smart phone or television keeping you up late most nights?  According to a recent survey conducted by the National Sleep Foundation (NSF), most Americans report using some form of active technology at least a few nights a week within the hour before bed.
Experts say this can make it more difficult to fall asleep, which can contribute to getting less sleep at night and leave you tired the next day.  NSF recommends having a relaxing bedtime routine, which means turning down the lights, winding down and turning off the technology.