What are M.E.D.S.?
Moving, Eating, Disconnecting, and Sleeping. These four practices all have huge, positive impacts on mental health, coping, recovery, and healing yet are often thought of as "not very important." This is a very simple and VERY effective strategy to get on the path to healing and wellness for you and your family.
Start taking your M.E.D.S. today and making sure your child is getting theirs!
Moving
Get your body moving! Preferably outside with fresh air, if at all possible.
- Take a walk
- Walk up and down the porch stairs 10 times
- Walk to get the mail
- Take a lap around the house
- Jump on the trampoline
- Play hopscotch
- Jump rope
- Do Brain Boosters (super-brain yoga) or yoga
Eating
Make sure you are fueling your body with the foods it needs to keep you going throughout the day.
- Family meal times help with healing and attachment
- Sit-down meals - be mindful while eating!
- 3 healthy meals each day to keep your body and brain going
- High protein snacks fir body fuel
- Fruits and veggies for vitamins and deliciousness
- Trail mix for an easy, healthy snack
Disconnecting
Turn off the TV, computer, tablet, phone, and what ever else is going on for at least 30 - 60 minutes each day. Spend this time being mindfully present.
- Play a game as a family
- Read a book or a couple of stories
- Have a conversation
- Take a nap
- Bake brownies
- Fold laundry
- Daydream
- Capture dust bunnies
(Turning off all electronics includes putting your phone on silent and putting it away - no checking emails, social media, or using it for music or videos.)
Sleeping
In order to have enough strength, energy, patience, and love for yourself and your family, you MUST get enough sleep. Sleep is one of the most important things for your child's developing brain, too!
- Set a sleep schedule for yourself (and your child).
- Turn off screens before bed.
- Sleep with zero light to help your brain produces enough melatonin at the right time.
- Try melatonin supplements or tart cherry juice to help with sleep.
- Wear cozy, comfy pajamas that you love putting on.
- Use a weighted blanket.
- Try using the 3-2-1 rule: no eating 3 hours before bed; no work 2 hours before bed; no screen time 1 hour before bed.