Being a mama means dealing with viruses and bugs that your kids can catch. Germs are everywhere and kids come in contact with them every single day. Toddlers can get colds, for example, as many as eight to 10 times in a year before they turn two years old, according to the US National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
As helpless as the situation sounds, there are actually many things that you can do to keep your kids from catching every little bug they’re exposed to. Here are 8 simple ways to keep your kids healthy all year-round.
1. Practice proper hand-washing.
The hands are easily the dirtiest part of the body that literally attracts every germ it touches. Hence, teaching your kids how to wash their hands properly is one of the most important things you can do to prevent the spread of illness. Apart from this, knowing when to wash their hands (e.g. before and after meals, after using the bathroom and when they come inside from playing) is just as important.
2. Encourage relaxation.
Kids face a lot of pressure every day. Unfortunately, stress and anxiety can weaken their immune system. Reverse this by providing your kids plenty of time to unwind while encouraging relaxation through art and music therapy. More importantly, offering constant TLC to help them decompress their feelings will surely help keep them from getting sick.
3. Set good sleeping habits.
According to the US National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, sleep should be given the same amount of importance, along with nutrition and exercise, in staying healthy. Unfortunately, kids nowadays aren’t getting enough sleep, making them more susceptible to falling ill. Sleep is important because it gives the body a chance to restore and repair itself. Thus, making sure your children get enough sleep is an essential part of keeping them healthy.
4. Offer a healthy diet.
Teaching your kids the importance of healthy eating habits can make a lasting impression on health. Serve up colorful foods like fruits and veggies that are rich in vitamins and antioxidants to stimulate the formation of antibodies that fight infection. On the other hand, eating too much sugar curbs immune system cells that combat bacteria. Remember that, mama, the next time a donut shop calls your name.
5. Encourage exercise and outdoor play.
Because regular and moderate exercise strengthen the immune system, doing these can significantly reduce the number of cold and flu episodes that your kids get in a year. Encourage your child to get moving for at least 30 minutes daily by dedicating time away from gadgets and screens. Use this time to do fun physical activities together or simply bask under the sun—which, by the way, boosts immunity, too.
6. Keep them hydrated.
Drinking plenty of water can help boost your child’s immunity by flushing out toxins and other bacteria from the body. Set a good example for your kids by drinking water often together. Also, always pack a water bottle inside their bags to help ensure that they are drinking enough even when out and about.
7. Keep things personal.
If your child is little, then offer them this simple rule: you don’t share anything that you drink or eat from. Viruses can often be transmitted through shared eating and drinking accessories. Little and big kids alike might find it difficult not to share water bottles, utensils and other personal items with friends. But frequent and friendly reminders from you will help instill this healthy habit.
8. Keep your house clean.
Illness-causing bugs thrive in filthy surroundings, so germ-proofing your living space is very important. Keep the air and surfaces in your home clean by using disinfectants and purifiers. If possible, use different footwear inside and outside the house to keep contaminants off your home.
Because germs are so infamous, it is easy to forget that without exposure to any of them, your child’s immune system will never grow strong enough. Knowing this can be quite bittersweet, but even so, fear not, mama! There is nothing more potent than a heaping dose of mother’s love—the best cure your kids will ever need.
This article does not provide medical advice, it is intended for informational purposes only. The article is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.
