It’s flu season and this year we’ve got an epidemic on our hands. Around here, some schools even closed for a few days in an effort to keep the germs from spreading. Is catching the flu inevitable? Or are there things we can do to protect ourselves and our children from contracting it?
Get a flu shot. While this is not a guarantee you’ll be flu-free, it dramatically reduces your chances and, according to medical experts, should be your first line of defense against the flu bug, especially for children, seniors and those with compromised immune systems.
Wash your hands. This is so simple yet so important for children and adults alike. Teach kids to get in the habit of washing their hands often, especially before eating and after coughing or sneezing, using the washroom, or being out and about in public places. Simple soap and water will do.
Respect personal space. Teaching young children to keep their hands to themselves is basic good manners, but especially important in flu season. The less grabbing, poking etc. they do, the less germs are spread.
Eat well. Focus on providing your kids a balanced diet of whole (not processed) nutrient-dense, foods. Include brightly colored fruits and veggies rich in flu-fighting antioxidants in meals and snacks. Click here for healthy snack ideas.
Hydrate often. When the weather cools down, we may feel less thirsty but taking in enough water is still important. In a dehydrated state, the body’s lymphatic system can be compromised and unable to adequately flush out cellular waste and toxins. Mild to moderate dehydration can also cause headaches, diminish memory and impair one’s ability to think clearly.
Stay active. When it’s freezing outside we may feel inclined to hibernate and limit physical activity, but staying active is as important as ever. Even if your kids do not play organized sports, as little as 15 minutes of vigorous exercise a day has a positive impact. Get out for some fresh air, engage your kids in a spirited game of tag, enjoy sports together as a family. Physical activity reduces anxiety and depression. Getting kids into the habit of daily physical activity also reduces the risk of obesity and all the health risks that go along with it.
Get enough sleep. Everyone, including kids, seems to have a jam-packed schedule these days. Many home environments tend to be chaotic long past bedtime. Lack of sleep not only plays a role in whether we catch a cold or flu, it also impacts how well we’ll be able to fight illnesses if indeed we do come down with them. Make it a priority to set up a bedtime routine so that things calm down around the house and kids get off to bed in a timely fashion.
Take sufficient down-time. If your child does get sick, make sure you don’t rush him/her back to school before they are fully recovered. Getting back to the stress of the daily grind when they are not feeling 100% can cause your child to relapse and be down even longer, with more severe symptoms.
Is the flu rampant where you are? How do you avoid catching it?
Great tips and ones we follow religiously around here. That said, my son has been sick twice this winter, which is a total anomaly for him. Somehow my daughter has avoided it to date, but I am knocking on wood. I do think this year seems particularly bad–seems like every family I know has been dealing with some bug or another.
Having a 5 year old who comes home with germs we are REALLY careful about staying healthy! Lots of hand washing (my hands are so dry though) Flu shots for all and we also have clean air filters in our rooms! I can’t get sick in this pregnancy– so far so good… but I don’t want to jinx anything!!
Great tip!
I take the train a lot of always conscious of all the sick people arund me. I think getting enough sleep every night is a key to staying healthy in so many ways.
As my kids are older now, we don’t have as much sickness in our house (knock on wood). I think they finally learned how to avoid germs, as much as they could anyway.
Yes, the flu has been horrible here! We do pretty much your entire list. When the boys were little Chris used to be awful about eating and drinking after them – I pretty much put my foot down on that years ago. I think it has helped because we don’t pass the germs around our home like so many of the families I know.
previous post- loving the strength training in my new training plan. it’s really helped me actually do it. and yes, flu was going around and i’ve been lucky so far…
So, I’m a nurse and I get so frustrated with people that are anti-vaccine, so thank you for including the flu shot. Despite it not being fully effective this year, it does help. Flu is an epidemic here in Virginia unfortunately, and I had it. Not fun!! Kids are so hard because they are virtually little petri dishes that just grow bugs because of all of the kids they are around. I started using essential oils to help with immunity. Hoping it works. So far they have gotten lucky! Great post!
All great suggestions – from what I know, washing hands is the single best thing.
Great tips!!! We also try to take an EmergenC every day, which really seems to help during the cold and flu season!
Great tips! I had my flu shot. It has not reached CA yet – they say it is on the way & already starting to hear about it…
I have been in healthcare 23 years now. Flu shots are mandatory. You cannot wash your hands enough, drink plenty of water, take your vitamins and get a good nights sleep.
I’m so glad my kids are older and all those viruses don’t make their way into our house so easily. Kids really are little petrie dishes aren’t they?