Keeping your child healthy at all times could be a challenge. After all, kids are exposed to so many germs in a single day. They play in the dirt, share items at school, and generally come into contact with all sorts of environments.
With all these health risks, it’s no wonder that children seem to be vulnerable to illnesses throughout the year. Fortunately, there are several steps that parents can take to improve their children’s health. Below are just a few of them:
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1. Boosting the Immune System
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Children are exposed to germs wherever they go, so it makes sense to make their immune system stronger. Prevention is better than cure. Therefore, you should make sure your kid is getting the right amount of sleep for their age, getting in enough exercise, and isn’t stressing out about anything.
Having a strong immune system also requires taking in the right kinds of food. Do see that they get some fruits and veggies in their system every day.
2. Don’t Push for Antibiotics
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Research continues to show that antibiotics can weaken our natural immune systems. If your pediatrician isn’t inclined to prescribe antibiotics for a cold or sore throat, don’t pressurize them to do so. Antibiotics only deal with bacteria in any case, and childhood illnesses are usually the result of viruses.
3. Healthy Sleeping Habits
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Along with habits like washing hands and refraining from sharing cups, children should also know about the importance of a regular bedtime. Make sure that your child is in bed at a proper hour each night, without fail. It can be tempting to let them stay up late on occasion, but this shouldn’t become a habit. Make sure that they either go to sleep before you or whenever you go. But don’t let them stay up late in case you have something to do. This can be detrimental to their health especially as they develop.
4. Get a Non-Toxic Mattress
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Speaking of healthy sleeping habits, you also need the right sleeping equipment for your child. Yes, children tend to fall asleep anywhere and in any position when tiredness overcomes them. However, your little ones might also be facing certain issues in their sleep which leads to frequent waking during the night or difficulty falling asleep at a proper time. Both of these factors could play with the child’s health.
More importantly, most commercial mattresses have toxic materials including volatile organic compounds (VOCs). That’s why it’s wise to think about getting both you and your children a non-toxic mattress. Organic mattresses have no off-gassing smells or harmful chemicals; plus, they are better for the environment. You can find a thorough analysis of the best chemical-free mattresses in this review.
5. The Habit of Hand Washing
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Many experts now agree that the best way to stave off germs and illnesses is to wash our hands as frequently as possible. Teach your children to wash their hands very thoroughly before and after they eat. They should also take care to wash up after going to the bathroom, cleaning anything, or doing something like blowing their nose.
This simple step will help to prevent many infections. Even if they do fall sick, the healthy habit of washing hands will help to contain the illness and prevent it from spreading.
Hand-washing is especially important during the flu season. For your children to be effective and incorporate this into their daily routine, you need to lead by example. If all you do is telling them to wash their hands, and you sit and watch TV, they will eventually question why it is important and you don’t do it.
6. Pack Healthy Lunches
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Not all children can eat a filling breakfast first thing in the morning. In any case, you want to make sure that they have some healthy yet delicious options for lunchtime.
Invest in a sturdy lunchbox with portioned compartments and plan for a fulfilling lunch each day. You can go for colorful shapes and interesting combos to ensure they eat up every bite. That way, they’ll get the fuel they need for all their activities, preventing burnout and crashes. Bear in mind that it is your responsibility, as a parent to decide what your children will eat as they develop. Sure, fast food from time to time will not be harmful, but they need to get used to eating healthy as this is something that will keep them in better shape and create good habits for when they grow up.
7. Getting a Good Backpack
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If your child carries a backpack to school each day, you should make sure that the burden isn’t adversely affecting their posture. A saggy, overstuffed backpack can cause back problems at a very early age. The right kind of backpack should have adjustable straps and padding to take the stress of the child’s shoulders, arms, neck, and back.
Additionally, see that the child is packing the backpack according to their daily needs. They shouldn’t be carrying more books than absolutely necessary. They should also be using both straps, as using only one strap can again wreck their posture.
The Takeaway
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There are numerous other aspects to a child’s health, but the suggestions above are a good place to start. Once you inculcate these possible healthy habits in your children, they’ll be less vulnerable to all the viruses, bacteria, and germs floating around. This will give you that much-needed peace of mind and hopefully result in a worry-free year.
