When winter arrives, more and more time spent indoors means that colds and viral infections begin to make the rounds. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that between 5 and 20 percent of the population gets the flu each year, and other illnesses ranging from bronchitis to never-ending sniffles can cause your kids to miss out on school and other activities. If you’re looking for natural solutions to keep your kids healthy through this winter, here are some tips to help you.
Train Kids Not to Touch Their Face Unless Necessary
No matter how often we wash our hands, we still pick up viruses and bacteria. Teach your children to cover their hand with a sleeve or tissue if they’d like to rub their eyes or scratch their face. If they have a runny nose, teach them to use a handkerchief. Coughs and sneezes should be ‘caught’ in the elbow, not by the hands.
Keep to a Sleep Schedule
If you live where it gets dark very early during winter, your child may develop a habit of falling asleep ahead of schedule and disrupt their sleep pattern. This can lead to problems sleeping and leave you child without adequate rest, which impacts immune function. Use bright lights and fun activities in the evenings to avoid early nights and keep to the schedule.
Give a Daily Natural Supplement for Energy
With little sun exposure and, possibly, less fruits and vegetables than they are normally accustomed to having, your child’s energy level and immune function can suffer without adequate vitamins and minerals. According to Nature’s Energy, a daily natural supplement can be a huge boost to keep your kids energetic and healthy. They are available in chewables and gummies, so even small children who can’t yet swallow a pill can reap the benefits of supplements.
Encourage Hydration
Home heating systems can make indoor air quality very dry, and lack of exercise can stifle feelings of thirst. Encourage your children to continue drinking water and not wait until they are thirsty. Proper hydration is essential to proper immune function, as well as a host of other body systems.
Toss Toothbrushes Frequently
Toothbrushes harbor mouth bacteria and can lead to reinfection of upper respiratory infections, sore throats and the flu. Keep new ones on hand so that old ones can be thrown away after a child recovers from an illness, and don’t keep them all in the same jar to spread germs from person to person.
Keeping your kids healthy throughout the winter can be a challenge. These tips will help stop germs from spreading and keep immune systems humming right along.
