As parents, we always have something of a tough time of it trying to keep our kids – and the rest of the family – as healthy as possible. School-age children always seem to be picking up some bug or other, and that can quickly get passed to everyone else, meaning that it feels you’re sick more often than you’re well! There are some quick and easy tips to keep everyone as healthy as possible though, so you can go into 2018 feeling prepared.
Hand Washing
One of the easiest ways to stop the spread of illness is for everyone to wash their hands regularly throughout the day. Teach your kids to wash their hands after they use the bathroom, whenever they are dirty, after they have blown their nose, before they eat and so on, and it will become a habit that quickly stops coughs and colds from taking everyone down. It’s important for your children to wash their hands properly, though, and not just quickly rinse them under the water for a moment. They need to use soap and warm (or cold) water, and wash in between each finger and up to each wrist. Make sure your towels are cleaned regularly too, or they’ll be drying their nice, clean hands on a germy cloth.
Stay Home
If your kid’s friends are sick, or there have been snuffles and sniffles heard, then instead of going over to that person’s house, it’s best to stay home. It may be disappointing for your child not to have a playdate, but it’s better to wait until everyone is well again before running the risk that your own family will catch whatever bug is going around. If you can’t get out of whatever event you’re going to (family gatherings are difficult, for example), then try to hug instead of kiss (kissing spreads germs quickly), and if you notice someone coughing, stay at a distance if you can. We know it’s not always possible, but if you try, it will certainly help.
Regular Check-Ups
Taking your family for regular health check-ups is a great way of keeping everyone in tip-top condition. These checks should be with both your local doctor, and a dentist like the ones at verdepointedentalassociates.com. A doctor will be able to check the body and mind – both of which can become poorly – and a dentist will take care of oral health (which, if left unchecked, can lead to physical pain and illness elsewhere in the body). Ensuring that illness is caught before it can lead to something more serious can mean the difference between feeling a little unwell, and having to take a lot of time off from work or school (or both).
A Good Diet
One of the most important things you can do to keep your family healthy is to eat a good, well-balanced diet. Whenever possible, avoid processed food, and try to make your meals from scratch. It may take some getting used to, but once you get the hang of preparing as much as possible in advance, you’ll find that it becomes much easier. Spend a little time at the beginning of each week preparing a meal plan, so that you know everyone is taken care of.
