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My kids encourage me to be more active all the time.  They love to play no matter what the weather is like outside, even if they didn’t get much sleep or got injured the day before.  Basically, my kids are teaching me that there are no good excuses and I need to just get out there and get moving.  We’re always using a few essentials since we are a family on the go.

With our school year starting up and the lazy days of summer coming to an end, it’s more important than ever to focus on health and happiness so we can all stay well now and in the future.  Now that everything is getting back to a schedule, I’m starting to schedule in time for myself to focus on health and wellness to make it a routine again.

When we’re out and about, I often find there are certain items that are invaluable.  Keeping them on hand assures that the kids and I will be ready for pretty much anything.  Here are a few things you can pull together to make your own healthy and active lifestyle more carefree.

5 Essentials for Families On the Go

If you’re on the go, always staying active and busy, you know there isn’t a lot of time in the day to be down.  When a minor problem comes up, don’t let it stop your healthy lifestyle.  These 5 things will help you to be prepared for some of the most common troubles.  I keep the in the back of my van so I’m always prepared.

Band-aid bandages

There are so many different types of Band-aid products these days.  I love to get the waterproof bandages because they hold up to hand washing or sweat while protecting cuts and scrapes as they heal.  They even have bandages to use over blisters.  That’s a great solution when those new running shoes rub on your heel as you’re breaking them in!

Neosporin

This is always in my little emergency kit.  When we’re out at a park, in a wooded area, or at the pool, I have no idea what germs my kids are being exposed to.  Neosporin helps ease my mind and promote better healing of their wounds.  It’s great for all ages and so many different minor injuries.  My favorite part is that it doesn’t sting when applied.

Benadryl Itch Stopping Gel

Going into a beautiful field of wildflowers or a wooded park to admire the trees and get a good walk in with the family, there is always a chance that our allergies will flair up.  I like to keep the Benadryl Itch Stopping Gel on hand for topical application when one of us rubs up against something that disagrees with us.  Other Benadryl products are great for your kit, too, in case of any kind of allergic reaction.  Having this on hand gives me the confidence to explore the great outdoors without worry.

Bottled Water

My kids know that I always have “emergency water” on hand at all times.  You never know when you might get stranded in your vehicle when you’re on the way to your activities.  It’s also great in case you forgot to bring fresh water to your workout.  Bottled water can also be used to flush out a wound or your eyes if something gets in them.  I try to stock at least one bottle per person and replace them when I get home after we’ve used them while out.

Towel

You’re probably thinking, “What in the world does this have to do with anything?”  The great thing about a towel is its versatility.
I can’t tell you how many times we have forgotten a towel when we go to the pool.  It can also double as a picnic blanket.  If you head to the park a day or two after a rain storm, this towel can wipe up stagnant water on the slide so your child can actually use it!  If it’s pretty sunny outside, a towel can save their skin if they want to play in the sandbox.

Walgreens Balance Rewards for healthy choices

I love to stop by Walgreens to quickly pick up things that my family needs.  Right now, their Balance Rewards for healthy choices program is making it easy to earn valuable rewards just for stocking up for my healthy essentials kit that I take with us everywhere.

I grabbed some new packages of Johnson & Johnson Healthy Essentials products from Walgreens because I was running low from last school year.  Great timing!  Earn 2,000 Walgreens Balance Rewards for healthy choices points (which is a $2 reward) when you buy any two Johnson & Johnson Healthy Essentials participating products from 7/26/15-8/29/15.

There are so many ways to earn these points in store.  Look for the special signage on qualifying products for details.

By the way, did you know that you can keep up with your Balance Rewards for healthy choices points balance on the Walgreens app?  I downloaded the app and saw that they actually help you earn extra rewards by tracking things on there that reflect your healthy lifestyle.

It makes it where you can make your healthy choices rewarding. If you’re managing and tracking your weight, trying to stay accountable to exercise more often, quitting smoking, or working toward boosting your overall health, you have to get the app!

You can even link it to other health and wellness apps you may already be using to earn even more rewards.  I linked up my MyFitnessPal on there so I can get rewards for the tracking that I’m doing already.  It is encouraging me to be more active and to be more mindful of my food choices.

Regular tracking can definitely help you reach your goals.  Balance Rewards for healthy choices rewards people for walking, weight management and more.

Check out how you can get points today for your healthy activities. Start today at Balance Rewards for healthy choices.

How are you staying healthy and active during the back to school hustle and bustle?  

What are some essentials you always keep on hand?  Be sure to check out more tips for staying healthy and active at the Reward Healthy Choices website.