4 LIFE SKILLS YOU CAN TEACH YOUR KIDS THIS VALENTINE’S DAY
Nothing says “I love you” more than equipping your children with important knowledge they’ll need for the rest of their adult lives. Even if they groan about it now, they’ll be grateful for the know-how when they’re on their own in the future. Keep in mind that your home classroom doesn’t have to mimic a school classroom. Research from the University of Utah shows that kids learn best through hands-on activities and play. Have fun while teaching these life skills, and you’ll earn thank-yous for decades to come. CLEAN THE HOUSE Were you ever surprised by how often you have to clean your kitchen? Your child may be too. Although your 10-year-old won’t have to worry about cleaning the stove today, they will need to know how when they move out, so find ways to incentivize cleaning and make it more fun. You can have your kids collect “chore points” that add up to a prize, like an extra hour of playing video games! DEVELOP COOKING SKILLS You may be hesitant to have a little chef in the house, but if you’re teaching them how to clean up and stay safe while making some easy dishes, there’s no reason to worry! Even if you’re not a great cook yourself, it’s fun to prepare simple recipes as a family. Plus, your kids will get used to the idea
of cooking for themselves, which is both healthy and cost-effective.
LEARN TO GARDEN What’s a better way to get
outdoors with your child than to garden together? From using tools like shovels and rakes to nurturing another living organism, gardening provides plenty of rich life lessons, such as patience. UNDERSTAND HOUSEHOLD MAINTENANCE Whether they’re learning how to use an electric breaker, unclog a
drain, or clean out the washer or dryer, your kids can get started learning household maintenance skills with just a little guidance. Who knows, maybe they will be their dorm’s future superhero! There are many lessons you can teach your child at any age, so don’t limit yourself! Be creative with the lessons you pass on, and there’s a chance they’ll never forget them!
3 WAYS TO MAKE CYCLING MORE COMFORTABLE If you’re looking for a mode of exercise to enhance your cardiovascular system, minimally impact your joints, and also potentially provide you with some great scenery, you can’t go wrong with cycling. Whether it’s how you commute to work or how you stay in shape, it’s a great way to burn calories without feeling like you’re doing a lot of work. don’t shine. Fortunately, you just have to loosen the bolts AVOIDING CHRONIC PAIN ON YOUR BIKE
below your seat, hop on your bike, and lean back and forth until you find the sweet spot. Ideally, your kneecap should be right above the spindle when you’re mid-pedal stroke. MAKE SURE YOUR HANDLEBAR REACH IS JUST RIGHT. If you have to reach too far, or not far enough, to hold your handlebars, your uneven weight distribution will make for an uncomfortable ride or decrease your control. This is one measurement you’ll want to have before you buy a bike. Ideally, you should be able to reach the handlebars with your elbows at a slight bend and without your spine flexing or bending when you reach. If you’re experiencing chronic pain or soreness and you ride your bike regularly, it might be time to make some adjustments to your ride and potentially schedule an appointment with Campus Commons PT. For any questions or concerns about your chronic pain, call 916-927-1333.
Nevertheless, if you don’t take the proper steps to “fit” your bike to your body, you could end up with some joint pain regardless of the lessened impact. Below are three essential steps any cycling enthusiast should take to ensure their bike fits them properly. ADJUST YOUR SADDLE HEIGHT. The “saddle,” being your seat, should be high enough to ensure you have a more comfortable ride, help you pedal more efficiently, and preserve your knees. To get your saddle to the proper height, make sure that when you sit down, your heel barely touches the pedal — while keeping your toes above your heels — at the bottom of the pedal rotation. That’s the sweet spot. POSITION YOUR SADDLE CORRECTLY. If your saddle leans too far forward or too far backward, injury and discomfort are almost inevitable, not to mention numbness where the sun
www.campuscommonsphysicaltherapy.com 2
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs