I’m lucky enough (hah!) to have a son in the Cub Scout program. Cub scouting parents are handed a list of things to buy, and a nice requirement book. Sometimes we’re given no more direction than “have at it!” but that’s another subject entirely.
This week, my husband and I decided to spend some time helping our son with some of his scouting requirements. We chose to look at the ones having to do with health.
Sometimes we get a little overwhelmed trying to figure out how to be healthy and help our families be healthy. There are a million different voices we could listen to, and not every voice will be right for us.
Looking at my son’s scouting manual put a few things in perspective. I’ll never get it all right where my health is concerned. Even if I did, they’ll likely change what “it” was as soon as I got “it” right. However, I can be proud and take comfort from the fact that I know the basics.
My son’s Cub Scouting manual breaks things down into simple steps that even an 8-year-old, or an 8-year-old’s mom, can understand. It’s a great reminder to all of us that health doesn’t need to be complicated. There are just some basic rules.
Here’s what Cub Scouting teaches about health:
- Know your food pyramid and where your food choices fit in.
- Know how to stop the spread of disease.
- Know a little bit about first aid.
- Bathe and use soap- this one is especially important for those 8-year-olds!
- Wash your hands.
- Brush your teeth.
- Get plenty of rest.
- Drink lots of water.
- Move a little each day.
There you have it. The basics of health care that even an 8-year-old can understand.
Sometimes it just needs to be that simple. Make healthy food choices, cover your mouth when you cough, practice good hygiene and get moving: a simple recipe for health and happiness in a very complicated world.
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