Ideas to Stay Healthy this Winter Season

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It is next to impossible to avoid germs all together, but as parents we should try to help minimize the chances of catching unwanted bacteria which in turn will help lessen the chance of getting colds, flu or worse.

Following the advice below will not eliminate your chances of getting sick completely but it will at least help you to lessen your chances. Colds and flu are viruses. They are caught by germs in the air and passed by contact. Unlike what our mothers and grandmothers told us, you do not catch a cold by going outside without a coat. But it does lower your resistance.

Also, be aware of your germs, if you have a cold or illness be sure to take a proactive approach to impede the spread of your germs by doing some of the following before you touch any common or public item; a door, an office coffee pot or anything your children will touch after you.

There are the obvious and very effective ways of try avoiding contact:

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• Wash, wash, wash! Wash your hands with antibacterial soap thoroughly and for a minimum of 20 seconds, this includes the back of hands, wrists, between fingers and under finger nails. Teach your children to sing the “Happy Birthday” song while washing, which is about 20 seconds.

• Use hand sanitizer religiously, and if you are comfortable with your older children using it, get them in the habit of using it too.  Even if you are of the mindset that using such items leave us weaker to bacteria by not letting our bodies fight off the germs, this is not the season to restrict it. We are expecting a very bad season for viruses, colds, flu’s and even whooping cough.

I thought of a few other ways to help deter these yucky germs:

1. Clean more often and use a very good antibacterial soap and spray. Wiping down any common areas of your home with special attention to the handles of the faucets and toilets,
   

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   these are a breeding ground for germs since you touch them before you wash your hands.
2. Keep a bottle of hand sanitizer by your front door, after removing your coat and any bags; use the sanitizer before you begin touching things in your home. Have your children dothis when they come home from school, schools are where your children will pick up most of their germs.
3. Wipe down your child’s toys as often as possible; this is a huge way that children spread their lovely germs.  An easier way to clean plastic toys, use 1-2 tablespoon of bleach for every gallon of water. Drain, rinse and allow toys to air dry overnight in the sink.
4. Teach your children how to cover their mouths when sneezing or coughing by using the inside of their elbows or sleeves instead of hands.
   

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5. Sleep and encourage your children to go to sleep earlier. A study in the Archives of Internal Medicine proved that if you sleep less than seven hours a night, you more than triple your chances of getting a cold or flu. If your sleep is interrupted by discomfort or tossing and turning, frequent waking, or other sleep disturbances, you are more than 5 times as like to get sick. Less than 8 hours of sleep, takes a toll on your immune system.
6. Eat Healthy! Provide your family with healthy germ-fighting foods containing phytonutrients (such as beta-carotene), like colorful fruits and vegetables, as well as foods rich with Omega-3.

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I also found this cute book about germs, “Germs! Germs! Germs!” by Bobbi Katz, a fun read for your kids while teaching them about germs and cleanliness.