Keep the Entire Family Healthy This Fall

Back to school time is an ideal opportunity to prepare the family for the upcoming school year and cold/flu season. The following tips are ways you and your family can stay healthy this fall.

Regular preventive care is vital to maintaining your overall health. These annual visits can help prevent medical problems or catch them early, before they get serious. During your appointment, your provider will ask you to fill out a health risk assessment. Your answers will help you and your provider get the most from your visit. You can expect to:

• Go over your health risk assessment.
• Review your medical and family history.
• Measure your height and weight.
• Check your blood pressure.
• Discuss other providers you see and any medications you take.
• Get advice to help you prevent disease, improve your health and stay well.

Get Immunized

Immunizations aren’t just for babies and young children. We all need shots to protect us from serious diseases and illnesses. Everyone over age six months needs a seasonal flu shot every year.

• Children under age six get a series of shots to protect against measles, polio, chicken pox and hepatitis.
• Preteens need shots to help protect against diphtheria, HPV, tetanus, meningitis and whooping cough.
• Adults need a tetanus shot every ten years. Those over age 65 need a one-time pneumonia shot.

Schedule your wellness or immunization appointment today by calling (425) 635-6600 to select from one of Overlake’s primary care clinics. Sports physicals for school-age children are offered at urgent care clinics on a walk-in basis. Another option for adults 65 years and older is our Senior Health Clinic at (425) 688-5234.

Pack Healthy Lunches

Stuck in a sandwich rut? Mix things up by packing a bento-style lunch box with a fruit, vegetable, protein and small treat. These are great for kids and adults alike.
Some ideas include:

• Berries, grapes, easy-to-peel citrus like Clementines.
• Rolled-up, sliced turkey meat or wrap.
• Cubed or string cheese.
• Crunchy and colorful veggies such as baby carrots, cucumber spears, bell pepper slices or snap peas.
• Healthy dips such as hummus, guacamole or salsa.
• A small treat like trail mix or a square of chocolate.

Make Time for Fitness Together

Life can get busy, but you can benefit from even small amounts of moderate activity. Regular physical activity can significantly lower your risk for cancer, heart disease and diabetes. Here are a few ideas for ways to stay active as a family:

• Start a new tradition and take a family walk or bike ride after dinner.
• Involve the kids with active chores around the house and in the yard.
• Choose a sport or activity everyone likes and make it a goal to participate weekly, sign up for a family gym membership and workout together, or watch exercise videos at home and get the whole family involved.
• Make time for play—turn on some music and dance, play tag or catch in the backyard, or build a fort.
• Model the importance of activity by taking extra steps—park the car further from the store or take the stairs instead of the elevator.