I have received information and materials from JOHNSON & JOHNSON CONSUMER, Inc., McNeil Consumer Healthcare Division, LLC. The opinions stated are my own. This is a sponsored post. #PositivelyPrepared #BacktoSchool #CollectiveBias
This month is all about firsts. First day of K-4 for my son. First “fun run” for my family. First time I’m going to be juggling childcare (and drop off) for two kids. First month that I’m really focused on exercising every day. All of these things mean we need to be on top of our game. Since my husband and I both work in schools, and my son will be in a new class, there will be a LOT of new germs floating around. We need rest and we need to be prepared for the first colds of the year.
First things first, though. We need to get back into our school routines. This summer has been a little out of sorts for us, as I was on maternity leave for the first half, my husband was home and our son was going to his preschool/camp for 3 days a week. We’ve been slacking on bedtimes (including my own) and sleep has been broken. Our exercise regime has fallen by the wayside and I’m concerned about the new germs we’re all going to be encountering with everyone back in school. I’m determined to be prepared and fight off back to school colds – as well as other illnesses coming our way.
Here’s my game plan:
1. Take daily vitamins. Even if it’s a children’s vitamin. I’ve been taking children’s chewable vitamins long before I had children, and now my son follows my cue and takes his at the same time as me. My problem is I’ve been slack over the summer, so the vitamins are going back to his bathroom and will be on a shelf so we see them daily.
2. Exercise daily. My son gets plenty of exercise every day, since he’s still in preschool and they have great playgrounds and a gym to let the kids run wild and free. My husband and I will have to start planning out our workouts, and I’ll be taking advantage of the fitness center on campus. My goal this fall is to run a 5k and the Thomas Wolfe 8k, which is one of my favorite races.
The thing I’m not looking forward to with my increased workouts will be the soreness that comes from not working certain muscles for a year. Thankfully, I have Ultra Strength BENGAY® Cream* to ease some of my soreness. BENGAY® temporarily relieves the minor aches and pains of muscles and joints associated with: simple backache, arthritis, strains, bruises and sprains. (BENGAY® Cream is for adults and children 12 years and older. Use only as directed.) My workouts will make me sore, and sitting in front of the computer doesn’t do much good for my back, so I need all the help I can get. (I also have my Moji massager to roll some of the soreness out.)
*Use only as directed
3. Get to bed early. We’ve already started putting our son to bed a little earlier each night so he can get acclimated to his school-time bedtime. Now it’s time for my husband and I to start going to bed at a decent time so we get a good night’s sleep. (11 pm is not decent for us.)
I’m averaging about 6 hours or less of sleep during the week. None of this can be blamed on the baby, though. I’ve been staying up to watch TV or read until 11 or later – and getting up between 5 and 5:30 (when the baby needs to be fed, and when I need to be awake so I can leave for work on time.) I’m currently setting goals for myself to be in bed by 9:30 or 10 every night, and allowing myself 20 minutes to read so I can let my brain slow down. When my brain is overstimulated or I know I’m going to have a tough time sleeping, I take a TYLENOL® PM* to help me get to sleep – and get sound sleep. I take it when I know I have enough time to sleep and it doesn’t leave me feeling sluggish the next day. TYLENOL® PM contains a pain reliever and nighttime sleep aid. It relieves pain and helps you fall fast asleep and stay asleep.
*Use only as directed
4. Prepare for germs. As most parents know, back to school also means back to germs. Those germs will often lead to colds. My husband works in three high schools, I work at a university and my son is in preschool with all new kids joining his class in 3 weeks. With all of those germs, we have to be prepared to fight and keep the baby well. I picked up Children’s TYLENOL®* because with colds, my son always gets a fever and aches. I’m counting on Children’s TYLENOL® to alleviate some of those pains. I also have our thermometers handy (I like to check temps different ways and compare them.) Children’s TYLENOL® temporarily: reduces fever; relieves minor aches and pains due to: the common cold, flu, headache, sore throat, & toothache. It’s only available as Cherry Blast and Grape flavors. For children ages 2 to 11 years.
*Use only as directed
When I shopped for back to school items, I went Target and found what I needed near the pharmacy. It was so easy to find everything in one area!
My advice for this school year:
- Reset your bedtime. From now until the school year begins, aim to be in bed 10 minutes earlier than the night before. Try to get 7-8 hours of sleep each night.
- Exercise. Make exercise a priority and try to get in a workout earlier in the day so that you aren’t on an adrenaline rush at bedtime.
- Eat well. Watching what you’re eating will help fight off the germs the kids will be coming home with in a few weeks.
- Take your vitamins! Your body will thank you.
- Stock up. Swing by Target and make sure you have the meds on hand that can help ease your pains and help get the rest you need. Better to have it on hand than need it at midnight on a Tuesday. Get positively prepared with the right pain relief for you and your family at Target.
How do you prepare to stay well as school starts back this next month?
Amy says
Our kids start school right after Labor Day this year. I admit, I am not fully prepared and need to buy sneakers, and some more clothing for them. #client