The Institute for Spirituality and Health at the Texas Medical Center Offers Back to School Health and Wellness Tips and Resources Media sources and health experts available.
MEDIA ALERT
Back-to-school season is here, and the Institute for Spirituality and Health at the Texas Medical Center is dedicated to helping families, kids, teens, individuals, seniors, and Houston metro communities stay healthy and well-informed by offering the following health and wellness tips and resources.
Through the global Cities for Better Health program funded by Novo Nordisk, the Institute partners with local faith communities across all major traditions to help alleviate food insecurity and enhance health literacy in the Greater Houston area. Access vital resources at www.spiritualityandhealth.org/cbh.
“The Institute for Spirituality and Health is committed to closing the health equity gap via innovative programs focused on prevention and community connection. Our Cities for Better Health-Houston initiatives serve our neighbors who are most at risk of developing chronic diseases, struggling with food insecurity, or both. We are fortunate to work with many local faith homes and community partners to improve health literacy and alleviate food insecurity in the Greater Houston area,” commented Dr. Maricela Caceres, MD, CHWI, program manager for Cities for Better Health-Houston.
Dr. Caceres supports and facilitates the Cities for Better Health initiative and collaborates with local faith homes across all major traditions to promote community-based holistic health education.
Dr. Caceres is available for interviews and expert commentary on maintaining health and wellness during the busy back-to-school season. For media inquiries, please contact Pennino and Partners.
Top 10 health and wellness tips to keep everyone thriving during this busy school year:
Affordable Easy-to-Make Meals: Focus on meals that are easy to prepare with affordable ingredients like beans, canned vegetables, chickpeas, eggs, rice, cabbage, oats, spinach, and fish. Often canned and frozen fruits and vegetables are cheaper and easier to keep for longer periods of time. Example of an easy canned dinner: One can of diced tomatoes, one can of cannellini beans, a handful of spinach, seasonings, and a splash of heavy cream can make a delicious, stove-top, simple meal in under 15 minutes.
Healthy Snacks: Choose inexpensive, healthy, and easy-to-grab snacks like apples, bananas, carrots, peanut butter, hummus, frozen grapes, celery, nuts, cottage cheese, yogurt, and popcorn. Learn how to eat healthy with MyPlate.
Stay Hydrated: Drink water instead of sugary drinks. Carry a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated throughout the day. Experts recommend that children and adults should drink at least 8 cups of water per day.
Shop Locally and Seasonally: Shop at local farmers markets and community gardens like Urban Harvest. SNAP benefits users can get 2 for $1 on fresh produce at Urban Harvest markets. Produce that is in season is often cheaper and fresher. Eating with the seasons is one of the best ways to add variety, excitement, and good nutrition to the family dinner table. Also, pre-cut, pre-washed, and pre-packaged items usually cost more. Opt for whole produce.
Free Active Play: Between school, work, and playdates it can be hard to fit family time and physical activity into your family’s busy schedule. Active play helps strengthen family bonds that are crucial for children’s social and emotional development. Use local parks and your backyard for free physical activity like walking, stretching, running, dancing, bicycling, or simply playing outside.
Mindfulness Practices: Practice deep breathing or simple meditation techniques to manage stress and improve focus. Simply taking 10 deep belly breaths can calm and regulate the body and mind. Sign up for FREE mind-body skills groups here.
Social Connections: Staying connected with friends and family through community events and gatherings is great for your mental health. The Institute hosts a FREE weekly Mind-Body Skills Group for Togetherness every Monday at 12 p.m. CT. Sign up here: https://www.spiritualityandhealth.org/open-monday-group.
Good Sleep Hygiene: Sleep hygiene refers to healthy habits that help you get a good night’s sleep. Good sleep hygiene is vital for your mental and physical health, as well as your overall quality of life. Creating a bedtime routine, stopping screen time at least two hours before bed, limiting your caffeine intake, and creating a safe, comfortable sleep environment are all helpful ways to ensure a good night’s rest. Learn more at https://www.cdc.gov/sleep/about/index.html.
Hand Washing: Regularly washing hands with soap and water to prevents illnesses. The CDC recommends washing your hands for at least 20 seconds to remove harmful germs and chemicals. You can use a timer or hum the "Happy Birthday" song twice to help you keep track.
Limit Screen Time: Reducing screen time can help improve mood, reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, improve self-image, and improve face-to-face social skills. For children, limiting screen time can help them develop empathy, emotional intelligence, and social awareness. Encourage creative and outdoor activities instead like reading, coloring, painting, going on a walk, scavenger hunts, building a pillow fort, board games, journaling, playing with pets, listening to music, playing with friends, and more.
The Institute partners with the HOPE Clinic to educate and empower local communities to take charge of their own health through cooking classes and health education programs. Upcoming events and programs will be announced soon. In the meantime, check out the following resources to learn about affordable, easy-to-make meals:
About Cities for Better Health-Houston
The Cities for Better Health (CBH) public-private partnership program was established in 2014 by Novo Nordisk, Steno Diabetes Centre Copenhagen and University College London. CBH has grown to more than 160 partners in more than 45 cities across 24 countries reaching a combined population of 220 million people. The aim is to promote health equity in cities, expand prevention efforts and address barriers to health for vulnerable populations and children.
As the third city globally and the first U.S. city to join the network, Cities for Better Health-Houston, underscores the Institute’s commitment to combat the most challenging chronic diseases facing the region with a holistic approach focused on primary prevention. This public-private partnership includes Houston Health Department, Harris County Public Health, Harris County Precincts 2 and 4, Harris Health, the HOPE Clinic, Harris County Medical Society, Fort Bend County Health and Human Services, Aldine ISD and many major faith communities such as the Windsor Village Church Family and the North Houston District of the AME Church. By addressing health risks earlier, the Institute believes it is possible for underserved communities to reduce the chronic disease burden.
About the Center for Faith and Public Health
The Institute’s Center for Faith and Public Health focuses on faith communities as a central part of life for a large percentage of the population. Establishing and partnering with health ministries is an effective strategy for advancing community health. By “starting with faith,” the Institute helps public health systems offer resources in a caring way while providing a safe place for faith communities to overcome historical barriers to essential health resources by providing education and access to adults through various initiatives. For more information about the Institute’s Center for Faith and Public Health, please visit https://www.spiritualityandhealth.org/centerforfaithandpublichealth.
About the Institute
The Institute for Spirituality and Health at the Texas Medical Center is an independent, interfaith organization established in 1955. A founding member of the Texas Medical Center, it has introduced and cultivated spiritual awareness and cultural humility in healthcare settings for nearly seven decades.
The mission of the Institute is to enhance well-being by exploring the relationship between spirituality and health, accomplished through education, research, and direct service programs, and guided by its Four Centers of Excellence: the Rabbi Samuel E. Karff Center for Healthcare Professionals, the Center for Body, Spirit, and Mind, the Center for End of Life and Aging, and the Center for Faith and Public Health. For more information about The Institute, visit https://www.spiritualityandhealth.org/.
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