Keeping your children safe and healthy during the holiday season is much easier said than done. Stress, family gatherings, sweet treats, and busy schedules can all wreak havoc on your child’s health and well-being. Here is a look at three strategies you can use to help your family avoid some of the most common ailments and illnesses this winter.
Fill Their Plates With Healthy Foods
When it comes to keeping a child healthy, very few things are as important as their diet. The occasional treat is generally not a problem, but most of your children’s meals should be filled with fresh produce, whole grains, and lean protein. Studies have shown us that nutritional deficiencies can weaken our immune system and make us extremely susceptible to the flu. Citrus fruits, leafy green vegetables, garlic, and ginger will help your children fight off any germs that they come into contact with outside your home. They also need to stay hydrated and keep sugary drinks to an absolute minimum.
Enforce Good Hygiene Habits
Your child won’t be able to avoid every microbe that comes their way, but they can reduce their risk of a serious illness with a few basic hygiene habits. During the holiday season, they should wash their hands with warm water and soap multiple times a day, and each wash should last for at least 30 seconds. If they do become sick, then you need to change their toothbrush and wash all of their bed linens as often as possible. Germs can stay alive for weeks outside of the human body, and it doesn’t take much for someone who has a weakened immune system to become infected again.
Schedule Their Checkups Early
Well before the flu season starts, you should schedule checkups for all of your children. One of the most important checkups is with their pediatric doctor. Depending on their age, their doctor might suggest having one or more shots before the flu spreads through your town. In addition to speaking with their pediatric doctor, they should also have an appointment with a dental professional, like those at the Dentistry For Children & Adolescents. The holiday season can have a major impact on a child’s oral health, and it is important to keep their teeth as clean as possible to prevent long-term issues such as tooth decay and severe discoloration.
No matter what you do to protect your children, they are still going to get sick every once in a while. Catching the early warning signs will help you minimize the side effects and speed up their recovery time. Use the tips above to help your kids have a better shot at avoiding getting sick.
