5 Healthy Tips to Protect Kids From Colds and Flu

Most Americans are faced with bleak weather conditions during the winter seasons. Along with the cold climate, we are more vulnerable to getting colds or much worst, especially the flu. It is impossible to completely prevent getting a cold or the flu when walking into the direct path of the harmful droplets of germs in the air. To combat this it is best to be proactive, and maintain a healthy immune system. A healthy immune system will provide a lower probability for anyone to develop an infection in the first place. Instilling in children healthy habits early on will certainly help to keep their immune system in top notch shape. Here are a few good healthy tips that will protect both you, and your child from getting colds this winter season.

Bundle up. Keep your child dressed suitably for the weather. Speaking from experience, I’ve seen my own children take off their coats and ear muffs almost as soon as they leave the home. There is something about the cold air they seem to enjoy... and being bundled up they don’t enjoy. But insist upon them keeping on their jackets, mittens, and earmuffs. If they have a nice warm body their immune system can be saved to do the really hard work for when they need it the most.

Wash those hands. Teach them the need for frequent hand washing and good hand washing techniques. This includes after playing, before and after eating, after using the bathroom, and after doing a dirty job like taking out the garbage. Hand washing with simple soap and water is good, and should be done for at least 30 seconds…about as long as it may take to repeat the Pledge Allegiance to the Flag.

) Prevent the germ droplets from going into the air. Teach them how to cough and sneeze in the elbow of their arm if they don’t have a tissue handy. And if they should happen to cover their mouths with their hands when they cough or sneeze, or use a tissue, tell them of the necessity to wash their hands afterwards. The germs that get on the hands from sneezing can very easily be passed on to someone else if proper hand washing is not done.

Be stingy with eating utensils. Teach them not to share their drinks or eating utensils with others. Practically all germs of every kind are transferred through the saliva. Therefore it is very important that children learn very early not to share their eating utensils or to drink out of the same cup as someone else.

5) Exercise. This is not usually a problem because children love to play. Exercise is needed to help maintain a good circulatory system. Actually this is important for everyone. Health professionals agree that with good circulation of the immune fighting antibodies in the blood system, you are far less prone to get an infection.

There are a few other things you can do to help prevent colds, such as serving your children chicken soup. I’m not exactly sure why, but there are some studies that suggest chicken soup is not just good for preventing and treating colds, but it is good for fighting against other diseases as well. So serve a nice bowl of hot chicken soup at least once a week or more. I hope with these suggestions you will have enough ammunition to protect your little ones from getting a cold or the flu this winter.

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