Caring for the Body of Christ

Nurses’ Corner – August 2026

Back-to-School Wellness: Building Healthy Habits for a Successful School Year

As another school year begins, August is the perfect time for families to establish healthy routines that support children’s physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Small, consistent healthy habits can improve school attendance, academic performance, and overall wellness.

Start with preventive care. Schedule your child’s annual wellness visit before school starts. If your child participates in sports, ask if the annual wellness visit can also serve as the sports physical. This visit allows your healthcare provider to assess growth and development, update vision and hearing screenings as needed, discuss any health concerns, and ensure your child is healthy and ready for the school year. It is also an excellent time to review your child’s immunization record. Being proactive with recommended vaccines helps protect your child and classmates while preventing delays in meeting school requirements.

Prioritize healthy sleep. Adequate sleep is essential for learning, memory, behavior, and emotional health. Begin adjusting bedtimes one to two weeks before school starts to help children return to a consistent routine. School-age children (6–12 years) should get 9–12 hours of sleep each night, while teenagers (13–18 years) should aim for 8–10 hours. Limiting screen time before bedtime and maintaining a consistent bedtime routine can improve sleep quality.

Build healthy eating habits. A nutritious breakfast helps children stay focused and energized throughout the school day. Offer meals that include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy when appropriate. Encourage children to drink water throughout the day and limit sugar-sweetened beverages. Packing healthy lunches and snacks not only supports growth and learning but also teaches lifelong nutrition habits.

Encourage daily physical activity. Children and adolescents should aim for at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day. Whether it is organized sports, riding a bicycle, dancing, walking, or playing outside, regular activity strengthens the heart and muscles, supports healthy growth, reduces stress, and improves concentration in the classroom.

Practice good hygiene. Good handwashing remains one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of illness. Teach children to wash their hands with soap and water before eating, after using the restroom, after coughing or sneezing, and after playing on shared classroom surfaces. Encourage them not to share water bottles, drinks, eating utensils, lip balm, or partially eaten food, as these habits can spread viruses and other infections. Remind children to cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or their elbow and to stay home when they are sick to help protect others.

Support emotional wellness. Returning to school can bring excitement, but it may also cause anxiety for some children. Take time each day to ask how school is going, listen without judgment, and encourage open conversations about friendships, academics, and emotions. Maintaining family routines, spending quality time together, encouraging prayer, and seeking support early when concerns arise can promote resilience and emotional well-being.

Don’t forget vision, dental health, and backpack safety. Healthy eyes and teeth contribute to academic success. Schedule routine dental and vision examinations as recommended by your healthcare providers. Choose a backpack with padded shoulder straps, encourage children to wear both straps, and keep the backpack weight to no more than 10–15% of your child’s body weight to help prevent back and shoulder strain.

As parents, grandparents, caregivers, teachers, and church families, we all play an important role in helping children develop healthy habits that will benefit them for years to come. By caring for their bodies, minds, and spirits, we prepare them not only for success in school but also for a lifetime of healthy living.

“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” — Proverbs 22:6 (NKJV)

May God bless all of our students, teachers, school staff, and families with a safe, healthy, and successful school year!

References

American Academy of Pediatrics. (2023). Bright Futures: Guidelines for Health Supervision of Infants, Children, and Adolescents (4th ed.). Elk Grove Village, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics.

American Academy of Sleep Medicine. (2016). Recommended amount of sleep for pediatric populations: A consensus statement. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, 12(6), 785–786.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). School health guidelines to promote healthy eating and physical activity. https://www.cdc.gov

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Handwashing: Clean hands save lives. https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services & U.S. Department of Agriculture. (2020). Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020–2025. https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov

American Academy of Pediatrics. (2022). Backpack safety tips. https://www.healthychildren.org

Join the Nurses' Ministry

Use Your Gifts to Serve

Do you have a passion for helping others? We'd love for you to become part of our ministry.

We welcome:

Registered Nurses (RNs)
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs)
Nurse Practitioners (NPs)
Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs)
Medical Assistants (MAs)
Physicians
Pharmacists
Physical, Occupational, and Respiratory Therapists
EMTs and Paramedics
Medical, Nursing, and Allied Health students
Young adults and youth exploring careers in healthcare
Anyone with a servant's heart who desires to serve (training is available for non-clinical volunteer roles)

No matter where you are in your healthcare journey, there is a place for you to serve.

Our Mission

To glorify God by promoting health, providing education, supporting wellness initiatives, and serving our congregation with compassion, professionalism, and Christ-like love.

Ways We Serve

Members of the Nurses' Ministry have opportunities to participate in:

Health fairs and community outreach
Blood pressure screenings
Wellness education
Health promotion events
Support during church services and special events
Emergency preparedness planning
Mentoring youth interested in healthcare careers
Writing monthly Nurses' Corner health articles
Assisting with special church initiatives and ministries

Interested in Serving?

If God is calling you to use your healthcare knowledge or your heart for service, we'd love to welcome you to the team.

To learn more or join the Nurses' Ministry:

Contact the Church Office
Speak with a member of the Nurses' Ministry after any worship service

Together, we can care for the body of Christ while glorifying God through service.

Nurses' Corner

Monthly Health & Wellness Articles

Each month, our Nurses' Ministry shares practical health information to help our church family live healthier lives while honoring God through wise stewardship of our bodies.

July 2026

Summer Wellness: Protecting Your Health During the Hottest Months

"Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers."
3 John 1:2 (NKJV)

Summer is a wonderful time to enjoy vacations, family gatherings, outdoor worship, and recreation. However, the heat and sun can also increase the risk of dehydration, heat-related illness, and sun damage. As good stewards of the bodies God has entrusted to us, we can take simple steps to stay healthy while enjoying the season.

Stay Hydrated

One of the most important ways to protect yourself is to drink water throughout the day—even before you feel thirsty.

Older adults, young children, individuals with chronic medical conditions, and those who work or exercise outdoors are especially vulnerable to dehydration and heat-related illness.

Limiting sugary drinks and excessive caffeine can also help you stay properly hydrated.

Protect Your Skin

When spending time outdoors:

Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher.
Reapply sunscreen every two hours and after swimming or excessive sweating.
Wear lightweight protective clothing and a wide-brimmed hat.
Seek shade during peak sunlight hours (10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.).

These simple habits help reduce the risk of sunburn, premature skin aging, and skin cancer.

Know the Signs of Heat Illness

Heat exhaustion may include:

Heavy sweating
Dizziness
Weakness
Nausea
Headache
Muscle cramps

If symptoms occur:

Move to a cool place.
Drink water.
Rest.

Seek emergency medical care immediately if symptoms progress to confusion, loss of consciousness, or a body temperature of 103°F or higher, as these may indicate heat stroke.

Care for One Another

Summer is also an opportunity to check on those who may be more vulnerable during extreme heat.

Consider calling or visiting:

Older adults
Individuals living alone
People with chronic illnesses
Those without reliable air conditioning

A simple act of kindness can make a meaningful difference.

Nurses' Corner Health Tip

💙 Carry a reusable water bottle, wear sunscreen whenever you're outdoors, reapply it every two hours (or after swimming or sweating), and take breaks in the shade. Small habits can make a big difference in helping you and your family enjoy a safe and healthy summer.

May God bless you with a safe, healthy, and joy-filled summer!

Floyd Chapel Baptist Church Nurses' Ministry

Health Information Sources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Heat and Your Health
American Academy of Dermatology: Sunscreen FAQs and Skin Cancer Prevention

Upcoming Nurses' Corner Topics

Month Topic

August Back-to-School Health, Immunizations & Healthy Routines

September Heart Health, Blood Pressure & Healthy Aging

October Breast Cancer Awareness & Women's Health

November Diabetes Awareness & Healthy Holiday Eating

December Managing Stress, Mental Wellness & Holiday Self-Care