Can’t Drown a Fish
Follow-up research confirms that “the earlier the better” rule holds true for starting children in swimming lessons. A study published in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine suggests that kids who start swimming lessons between 1 to 4 years are less likely to drown than those who start swimming at age 5 or later.
Spry like the Butterfly
Socialites and networkers, rejoice. According to a range of findings – from Sweden, Australia, Harvard and a host of universities in the USA – maintaining friendships is a crucial factor in sustaining proper health. Research shows that people with a large number of close friends live longer and have healthier brains. So start booking those extra playdates and reward your child’s efforts at effusiveness.
Squat and Bear It
On-the-go mothers can help expedite the birth of their child. Research analysis published this April by The Cochrane Collaboration suggests that modest activity can shorten labor. Standing, walking and even squatting or sitting up during the first stage of labor (rather than lying down) was found to reduce labor duration by an average of one hour.
Sixty Minutes
of Mayhem According to the UK’s National Health Service, children and young people should exercise for at least an hour a day, at least five days a week. Does that meager minimum dwarf the actual amount of time your little ones are running circles around you? Good, your child is healthy. If you yourself spend at least 30 minutes munchkin-chasing each day (strenuously enough to get your heart rate up), you too have met the minimum to avoid the health dangers of inactivity.
