Healthy + Happy #7: Finding moments of joy in sorrow.
Finding moments of joy in sorrow.
With heavy hearts, we bring you another edition of Healthy + Happy, Life Time Foundation's biweekly newsletter covering the latest news, resources and inspiration related to youth nutrition and movement. As we continue in our mission to help schools create healthy, happy spaces for kids, we stand in solidarity with the community of Uvalde, Texas.
Like us, kids need healthy ways to process through moments of tragedy and grief — and we can help them.
The New York Times developed a comprehensive resource to help caregivers and teachers talk with kids about the tragedy in Uvalde.
To build resilience through moments of sorrow, experts say: find joy — and help kids do the same. When kids refill their joy tanks, they develop healthy coping mechanisms to tackle both current and future adversity. Need help? Check out these tips.
Physical activity and good nutrition also help boost mental health. Psychologist and educator Kelly McGonigal believes in The Joy of Movement to boost health and build connection. Need help? Incorporate these mood-improving, research-backed moves into your regular workout.
In the News
School food round-up.
A new bill in Illinois requires schools to provide plant-based lunches to students statewide. These meals meet the federal nutritional regulations and help accommodate other religious, health, environmental and personal factors behind plant-based diets.
Vermont Governor Phill Scott signed a bill that was unanimously passed by the Senate to extend universal school meals through 2023.
Just like desks and books, food is a resource, which means universal school meals are critical to learning. It’s hard to learn when you're hungry.
Ultra-processed snacks.
In response to limited youth work opportunities during the pandemic, students in Chicago created a “vibrant underground snack economy,” buying and reselling ultra-processed food to make up for lost income. Given the negative effects of these foods on kids, advocates are calling for a ban on the sale of these foods — for everyone.
There’s a new ingredient in the snack food market: THC, the high-inducing part of the marijuana plant. THC-infused snacks, disguised in plain sight as popular snacks (think: Doritos, Nerds, Gushers, etc.), have made their way into schools, and many kids don’t know what they’re eating. From 2017-2019, the U.S. Poison Control Centers saw nearly 2,000 cases of children ages 0-9 consuming THC. If your child consumes a cannabis edible, here’s what you can do.
Inspiring kids to love physical activity.
Despite the benefits of regular physical activity, people with obesity often experience weight-related stigma when exercising and playing sports. But schools are fighting back.
By prioritizing participation over winning, more kids can get involved, learn valuable skills and discover activities they like.
One key area in this fight: recess. Recess gives kids the opportunity to experience the joy of movement, and taking it away as behavior management can unintentionally motivate kids away from physically active lives.
Events, Happenings and Opportunities
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We hope you enjoyed Healthy + Happy. As always, please feel free to reach out to us with any questions or thoughts.