Getting sick is no fun at all. Flu season is daunting for everyone, but especially for those who have children. Once one child ends up with the flu, it spreads throughout the school in no time. Before you know it your children are stuck at home with the flu. Since germs are easily spread on surfaces and from hand-to-hand, kids can quickly be exposed once one child gets sick at school. After all, your child has to touch the play equipment, door handles, supplies and desks. The good news is that by following a few easy tips, your kids can avoid getting the flu or a cold during this flu season.
Tip #1 – Eat a Healthy, Balanced Diet
Eating a healthy, balanced diet is one of the best ways to give your child’s immune system a boost. By ensuring your kids eat healthy foods, you can help ensure their immune system is strong so they can avoid the flu. Here are some great things you should add to your family’s diet.
- Vegetables – Many veggies contain vitamins and minerals that help the body fight off illness. Some of the best sources of vitamin C include spinach, bell peppers, kale and broccoli. To make veggies kid-friendly, try blending veggies up with fruits for a tasty, immune-boosting smoothie.
- Fruits – Fresh fruit is a great choice and it is healthier for your kids than fruit juices. Grapefruits, tangerines and oranges all offer plenty of vitamin C.
- Probiotics – Probiotics are good bacteria that help to eliminate the bad bacteria in the body. Probiotics pills are available, but you can also enjoy probiotics in Kiefer and in plain Greek yogurt.
- Ginger, Onions and Garlic – All three of these foods help fight off illness. Add them to your diet whenever possible to give your immune system a boost.
Tip #2 – Follow Healthy Habits
Even though your child is exposed to a lot of bacteria at school, if you teach your kids to follow healthy habits, they are less likely to end up coming home with the flu. Here are several healthy habits you should make sure that your kids follow.
- Avoid Touching the Face – Since hands often come in contact with germs, kids need to learn to avoid touching their face with their hands, especially around the mouth, eyes or the nose. While kids can’t help by come in contact with bacteria, they will be less likely to end up with the flu if hands are kept away from the face.
- Wash Hands Regularly – Teach your children to wash their hands thoroughly with warm water and soap. Make sure they wash their hands regularly, especially during flu season. You can also give them hand sanitizer, available in gels or sprays, that they can use on hands if they cannot get to a bathroom.
- Cover Your Mouth – You should also teach kids to cover their mouth if they sneeze or cough. It is best to teach kids to sneeze or cough into their sleeve instead of their hands, which will help to reduce the chance of spreading germs.
- Start Disinfecting – Once the kids come home from school, eliminate any germs they brought home by disinfecting their backpacks, clothes, shoes, lunch boxes and other items they bring home from school. This way you keep germs out of the house.
- Avoid Sharing – While sharing is something you want your kids to learn, during flu season, you need to teach your kids that personal items, drinks and food should not be shared.
Tip #3 – A Healthy Lifestyle
Following a healthy lifestyle can also keep kids healthy, even during flu season. Make sure your children get eight hours of sleep each night. They should also have time to relax and ensure that they get some exercise as well. A healthy lifestyle can go a long way towards ensuring that the flu stays at school.
