Cold and flu season is always a battle to keep little bodies healthy, but this season during the Covid-19 pandemic, there is heightened awareness around staying healthy. We all know the basics; stay 6 feet from others, wash your hands for 20 seconds, and wear a mask. But there are few other ideas that can help keep our family’s immune system healthy too.
Humidity
Dry air makes for dry respiratory systems. Dry nasal passages are the ideal environment for virus germs to live and grow. Creating more moisture in our environment will help keep the tissues of our bodies hydrated and able to fight off viruses more easily. This can be done in a few ways:
- Run a humidifier. This can be done all day long, or at least at night in bedrooms
- Drink more water! Click here to read our post on just how much water your child really needs.
- Use saline nasal sprays to keep nasal passages moist
Shoes
Think about all the places you and your children walk in a day. From the street to public transportation, to a public restroom, our shoes see some pretty grimey places. So instead of tracking all those germs into your house, set up a station near the door for shoes to stay. Not only will it cut down on germs, but also on cleaning too!
Eat Seasonally
Many of the fruits, vegetables, and spices that are in season in the fall and winter are full of vitamins and minerals that are immune boosters too. Oranges are high in vitamin C and pomegranates full of antioxidants. Winter squash such as pumpkin and butternut squash are bursting with fiber and vitamins C and E. Cinnamon is not only tasty but is full of antioxidants too. Eating healthy is always beneficial to our health, but eating seasonal fruits and vegetables can have an even greater impact.
Sleep
Our bodies heal and clean while we sleep. Not getting enough time to perform those important processes can lead to a weakened immune system. Web MD recommends that children 3-6 years old need a minimum of 10-12 hours of sleep, including naps. Sometimes getting to sleep can be the biggest issue with getting enough sleep. Creating a healthy bedtime routine can help little brains wind down faster and get to sleep sooner.
Get Moving
Getting regular exercise is looking like a key factor in fighting any virus but particularly Covid-19 as well. Children 5-7 years old need a minimum of 60 minutes of vigorous exercise a day. We’ve got some fun indoor activities to get little bodies moving in our post on Indoor Fun for Cold Days.
Routine
Establish a healthy routine that starts the minute your family walks in the door. Shoes off, 20-second hand wash, and germy items disinfected – backpacks, lunch boxes, anything that’s been outside the home. Getting everyone into a routine of cleaning will help minimize the germs in your home.
