The 5 Keys to Wellness for Kids with Dr. Brian Stenzler

In today’s episode of The Gentle Parenting Show, Kim welcomes Dr. Brian Stenzler. Dr. Stenzler is the best-selling author of D.R.E.A.M Wellness: The 5 Keys to Raising Kids for a Lifetime of Physical and Mental Health. He is a Doctor of Chiropractic and owns and operates numerous wellness centers. He is passionate about helping families achieve their health and wellness goals. Together, he and Kim discuss what D.R.E.A.M stands for and 5 key things to help raise our kids to be healthy and well.

Why Wellness for Kids?

Dr. Stenzler found that so many wellness centers, doctors, and chiropractors were focused on adult health and wellness. While this was important, wellness for kids was practically ignored. Dr. Stenzler was giving his patients – adults and kids alike – the same advice over and over. He knew he had to get the information out there, and when a global pandemic hit, it became urgent. D.R.E.A.M wellness is about so much more than just physical health. It evaluates and cares for social, spiritual, mental, and physical health for families as a whole. What does D.R.E.A.M stand for and what does it have to do with kids’ wellness? Let’s discuss this below.

D.R.E.A.M Wellness for Kids and Adults

D is for Diet

Dr. Stenzler describes diet as so much more than just food. Diet is everything you eat, drink, touch, taste, smell, watch – anything that goes into your body. It’s also what you view, read and who you spend time with. He says that if you put garbage in, in any form, you get garbage out. Pertaining to wellness for kids, diet is making sure your child is consuming a majority of healthy things, beyond food, so that they can give a healthy output.

R is for Relaxation

Relaxation is time to refresh, rejuvenate and recenter one’s self. It’s a time for tranquility where you’re sharpening your mind. Sleep falls into relaxation, and we all know how passionate Kim is about sleep and wellness for kids. Relaxation is so important for kids’ wellness so they can reset their minds and be open to all the learning and growing they experience.

E is for Exercise

Exercise is any physical or mental exertion. Dr. Stenzler really emphasizes the need for mental exertion. Things like puzzles, reading, and problem-solving are great for both a child’s and adult’s wellness. Physical exertion is also key for physical and mental health. A sedentary life is so damaging to the body and wellness of kids. It’s so important for children to get up and move around.

A is for Adjustment

For this aspect of D.R.E.A.M wellness for kids, Dr. Stenzler isn’t just talking about a chiropractic adjustment. He is talking about being in balance both physically and emotionally. Chemical, physical and emotional stressors are so prominent in everyone’s life. By staying in balance with all other aspects of D.R.E.A.M wellness, you’ll be able to adjust and adapt to these stressors in life and deal with them in a healthy way.

M is for Mental Wellness

Mental wellness for kids and adults is when inner purpose and passion convert to outer goals and tasks of all things in life. A person is mentally well when they wake up in the morning and are excited to get going. Dr. Stenzler says “create a lifestyle that helps you put on armor, so when junk comes at you, you’re doing just fine.”

Mental wellness can be built through affirmations, prayer, and who you surround yourself with. Dr. Stenzler thinks that diet and mental health are the most important aspects of D.R.E.A.M wellness for kids. He recommends starting each day with positivity and intention for kids. Kids go out into the world and have a lot thrown at them. Teaching them gratitude and intention helps them filter that out. Dr. Stenzler says “when you live a life of mental wellness, you’ll have more mental health. Wellness is the process of creating health.”

D.R.E.A.M Score and Wellness for Kids

Evaluating every aspect of D.R.E.A.M wellness can feel overwhelming, which is why Dr. Stenzler created the DREAM Score. The DREAM Score is a lifestyle assessment tool to help you look at all aspects of your life. After you take the DREAM evaluation, you’re given a report and score. This report has suggestions of exactly what to change and exactly what pages to go to in the book for help.

The DREAM Score makes it easy. With a DREAM Score, you’ll receive just 1 to 2 things to implement at a time for you or your child. These are simple changes that will really help make a difference in wellness for kids and adults. In addition to the DREAM Score, Dr. Stenzler also offers free resources on his website for wellness. These are things like a mineral guide, a reduced screen-time plan for kids, and a guide to self-love.

Screen Time and Wellness

Screen time increased a lot of kids during the pandemic. While it was a blessing at the time, too much screen time can affect a child’s nervous and processing system. Knowing and setting limits around screen time can be so beneficial for the overall wellness of kids. Too much screen time can affect many aspects of D.R.E.A.M wellness. It primarily affects diet and relaxation. Too much exposure to screens affects sleep for kids. Dr. Stenzler points out that screen time isn’t so much about setting limits on screens but instead replacing them with something healthy and fun.

Chiropractic Adjustments and Wellness

Dr. Stenzler believes a good chiropractor is a key to wellness for kids and adults. Chiropractors help patients to stay adjusted in all areas of life. Dr. Stenzler is passionate about proper posture in both adults and children. He says posture isn’t only about aesthetics and energies, but it’s important for the nervous system. Keeping the spine in alignment is so important because the brain sends messages down the spine and out through each vertebra.

A subluxation can be the cause of so many problems for kids. It can lead to ear infections and even mental disorders like ADHD. A subluxation can happen in small children who spend a lot of time in swings and car seats. Babies need to be moving and crawling so their spines can develop. Adjusting small children is so much more than just back-cracking. It’s very gentle, smooth, and key to developing a healthy spine and nervous system. Adjustments on babies and newborns last for a long period of time.

Build Value in Wellness for Kids

Kim closes the podcast by asking Dr. Brian Stenzler his biggest pieces of advice. First, he advises that if you have a young child, take them to the chiropractor and make sure they’re in alignment. Second, he says to be conscious of what you’re putting into your child’s body. Really think of what your child needs to be healthy and happy. Help your children build value in a healthy lifestyle.