Whole Child Health -Dr Venita Patel

04/01/2022

Back to School week..January 2022 edition!
Here are some helpful ways to reduce infection spread and improve immunity.
If you want some guidance on appropriate and good quality supplementation for children, do get in touch.
I offer short low-cost appointments for this type of advice.
hvnutrition@gmail.com

Today is back-to-school for many of our kids.

While it’s not likely most of us will “escape” getting infected with Omicron, we CAN make it more likely that our kids will have the immune resilience to get through it quickly & completely.

👉1st,
🧘🏻‍♀️BREATHE

👉2nd,
🤓READ my posts for Immune Resilience tips for your whole family

👉3rd, when your kids come home from school,
💥DO THIS …

✅Wash your hands
✅Irrigate your nose with Xlear - a saline spray w/xylitol & grapefruit seed extract (GSE). Not only does xylitol prevent cavities & ear infections, it can help prevent viral & bacterial respiratory infections. A study of Xlear found that GSE killed the C-bug & significantly reduced viral load, while xylitol prevented the virus from attaching to cell walls & invading! This was in vitro, so we can’t necessarily translate it to humans, but hey - it can’t hurt. So go ahead - spray those germs away! (REF: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.12.02.408575v3.full)
✅Eat a snack with immune-boosting superfoods. Download my FREE GUIDE: Food as Medicine HERE: https://healthykidshappykids.com/food-medicine-coronavirus/ [LINK IN BIO] to find out which supernutrients to focus on!
✅ Take a targeted supplement with immune-boosting superpower. My all-in-one Immune Support Synergy powder has foundational nutrients to build immune resilience against whatever nasty bug comes your child’s way - Vit C, Vit D, Zinc & Quercetin to name a few. Find this, Xlear & other amazing immune supports on my online store: https://store.healthykidshappykids.com/. [LINK IN BIO]. PRO-TIP: Keep in fridge to reduce clumping. Use a mini handheld blender/frother to mix well with water, add a splash of OJ & voila!
✅ Connect. Hugs, love & laughter engage the Vagus Nerve & optimize Heart Rate Variability - one of the best ways to build resilience against any immune stressor - infectious, physical or psychological.

xo Elisa Song, MD💕

P.S. Stay tuned for my next posts where I’ll share what we did to recover from COVID quickly & completely this holiday - yup, that’s why today is NOT my kids’ first day back at school. But at least we enjoyed an amazing sunny powder day - healthily & safely!⛷

09/06/2021

Immunity in Childhood:
Take a listen to this radio show hosted by Dr Mona Kular for UK Health Radio where I discussed many aspects of how the immune system develops and can be supported from birth onwards.
We also share many useful tips on children's gut health and how to improve the gut microbiome.
Do take a listen ands let me know what you think!

16/05/2021

Proud to work alongside these fantastic therapists at the West London Children’s Centre.
A truly holistic approach to supporting children’s mental and physical wellbeing.
💛💛💛

We introduced our mental health therapy team the other day, in line with it being however it is so important to consider how other support and key adults in a child’s life can also positively impact mental health.

Our incredible team of Therapists pictured here, support children every week in our London Centre, through Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Nutritional Therapy, Physiotherapy, Lego Therapy, Educational Psychology and Behavioural Support - all of who not support a child in that specific field, but additionally aid them in building self-esteem, confidence, independence and self belief - helping to positively impact their mental health too 💛

There are so many key figures in a child’s life who can positively impact their mental health - teachers, friends, extended family members, neighbours, club leaders and more!

11/10/2020

As parents our number one wish is for our children to be happy.
We also hope they achieve their potential to shine, and feel fulfilled in all aspects of life.
However, we know that life is a complex puzzle of light and dark moments, and experiences sent to teach us. So as parents we must help our children build resilience in order to weather these times, and come through the other side.
We have been through our fair share of these times with our daughter, but hope this equipped her well for her future (now she is officially adult!)
💛A few of the tools I have found helpful in 19 years of being a parent and a paediatrician:
🔶Creativity:
Giving opportunities to be creative in play, in art, in music and dance has been wonderful outlet for emotions.
🔶Nature:
Getting outdoors for a walk, going to the playground or just roaming free has always played an important role.
🔶Meditation and Yoga:
Our children have been fortunate to learn both of these practices at a young age both at school and home. They have proved invaluable during times of anxiety or stress (such as exams!)
🔶Laughter:
As a family we have a bit of lightheartedness and silliness on a daily basis!
🔶Communication:
Dedicating time to give wholehearted attention to a child, without distractions of work, phones etc. This helps the lines of communication to stay open, no matter the age.
💛💛💛
Sadly many children are suffering with mental health difficulties for a multitude of reasons, so we must observe, ask, be aware and know who and where to turn for help.

💛10.10.2020💛
Today marks our daughter’s birthday and also World Mental Health Day.
💛As parents our number one wish is for our children to be happy.
We also hope they achieve their potential to shine, and feel fulfilled in all aspects of life.
However, we know that life is a complex puzzle of light and dark moments, and experiences sent to teach us. So as parents we must help our children build resilience in order to weather these times, and come through the other side.
We have been through our fair share of these times with our daughter, but hope this equipped her well for her future (now she is officially adult!)
💛A few of the tools I have found helpful in 19 years of being a parent and a paediatrician:
🔶Creativity:
Giving opportunities to be creative in play, in art, in music and dance has been wonderful outlet for emotions.
🔶Nature:
Getting outdoors for a walk, going to the playground or just roaming free has always played an important role.
🔶Meditation and Yoga:
Our children have been fortunate to learn both of these practices at a young age both at school and home. They have proved invaluable during times of anxiety or stress (such as exams!)
🔶Laughter:
As a family we have a bit of lightheartedness and silliness on a daily basis!
🔶Communication:
Dedicating time to give wholehearted attention to a child, without distractions of work, phones etc. This helps the lines of communication to stay open, no matter the age.
💛💛💛
Sadly many children are suffering with mental health difficulties for a multitude of reasons, so we must observe, ask, be aware and know who and where to turn for help.

20/06/2020

Matter!!
Why schools and nurseries need to re-open...

13/06/2020

To all you incredible parents, in case you ever feel you are not doing enough..
THIS IS the most important job:
Raising children to be kind and caring with open hearts and minds, and teaching them by example to treat their fellow human beings with compassion and equanimity.

25/05/2020

Lots of great ideas for a Bank Holiday scavenger hunt!

23/04/2020

...and he was STILL hungry!
Anyone have hungry caterpillars 🐛 at home?!
Fruit is always great to offer as a snack but why not make it playful and engage the kids to make some fun creations like these?

20/04/2020

Back to school??
Let's all get back to exercise!!
It's amazing for mood, energy and the ability to focus on bookwork!!

15/04/2020

Fabulous ways to use the Number 1 toy in the world...LEGO!!!

14/04/2020

Amazing what creativity comes from a simple paper plate and a few paints and other bits!!

10/04/2020

Who doesn’t love Play-doh and Plasticine modelling?!
The moulding action is helpful for children’s hand and fine motor skills, as well as relaxing and calming for many.

Play Doh offers hours of fun and there are so many inventive games and creative activities that you can play as a family. It also offers comfort to children who may be anxious at this time, as the sensory aspect of manipulating it can release stress and tension (we often use it in Therapy sessions).

Recipe for Homemade Play Doh:

One cup of salt
Two cups of plain flour
One tablespoon of oil
Two tablespoons of cream of tartar
Two cups of water
Food colouring (add a teaspoon at a time until desired colour is reached).

Combine all the ingredients in a saucepan.
Heat, on a low heat, stirring continuously, until doh becomes thick and pulls away from the side of the saucepan. Take out and knead (careful it will be hot!) Let it cool, kneading intermittently, then store in an airtight container. Have fun!!

04/04/2020

All parents and carers, please take note of this important message from paediatricians.
GP's and A&E are still open and it is better to seek help early and not wait if you are worried.

01/04/2020

Take a look at this new service for parents to help children feel that they are doing something positive for nature and connected to the outdoors, and to help reduce anxiety among families during the lockdown period.

A change in routine and lack of access can be difficult for children and, at the same time, many parents are climbing the walls wondering how to occupy them. Our new service offers a sense of connection with nature and purpose, designed specifically for primary aged children.

Earthwatch Europe launches ‘Wild Days’ - a new online indoor/outdoor learning service for families in lockdown We have launched a new service for parents to help children feel that they are doing something positive for nature and connected to the outdoors, and to help reduce anxiety among famili...

31/03/2020

A great list of things to do at home with the kids over the Easter 'break' (and beyond!)

Browse great activities for your little ones for this Spring term now!

23/03/2020

There will definitely be some positives to all of this....

19/03/2020

EXERCISE & HEALTH:
We need to keep the whole family moving for their physical and mental health, despite being home.
Starting next week, Monday to Friday at 9am, live PE lessons on Youtube for all kids who are home. No equipment needed!!
A fantastic idea by the brilliant Joe Wicks aka The Body Coach :)

I produce so much free fitness content online and I never ask for anything in return but today I need your help 🙏🏼 I need your support to help spread this online so as many parents as possible know that this is an option for them to use next week. I am holding LIVE PE lessons at 9am Monday to Friday on my YouTube channel for children of all ages. All I need is for you to screen shot this and post it on your wall, story, Twitter, facebook, whatsapp, linked in and anywhere else. Parents are going to be under pressure next week and for 30 minutes a day I can take over and inspire and energise the kids to get active, bounce around and have fun. You can even join in with the kids. Please share away. This is going to help millions of children and parents feel happier for 30 minutes and beyond everyday ☺️❤️

13/02/2020

So proud of the team at the Children’s Wellness Centre on winning this well deserved award!!

We are SO honoured to let you know that The Children’s Wellness Centre is the WINNER of the Health and Wellbeing West London Business Award!

There were 22 judges in total, with the final comment from them stating:

“West London Children’s Wellness Centre have been particularly innovative and brave, with a very clear social purpose. The idea of being a one-stop place for all parenting needs is quite innovative.”

We were shortlisted with 7 other Health and Wellbeing organisations and to be in a category with Age UK, Mencap, The Felix Project, Help at Home and more, is a complete honour - to win is even more amazing!

Thank you for all the support from the community - we have big future plans for the Wellness Centre to continue offering more support for children and their families across West London and other locations across London and Kent too.