The coronavirus pandemic has caused one of the biggest health crises of the 21st century. With millions of infected cases and a large number of mortalities, this is one virus that’s leaving a trail of human life destruction.
Although older people are the most affected, kids have been affected too. The biggest difference is that most seem to be asymptomatic and they don’t seem to die like the elderly. However, they may live with adverse COVID-related complications if infected. That’s why it’s important to keep your child’s immune system strong during COVID.
A strong immunity helps your kids reduce the risk of COVID and adverse symptoms. In this guide, we have put together the best was to keeping your kids’ immune systems in tip top shape during these troubled times. Here are our top 10 health expert tips:
1. Healthy Food
The first thing you must get right is the diet. You must ensure that your kids are eating the most nutrient-dense food possible. This is because gut health is very crucial in fighting infections. The diet must be balanced and offer high levels of vitamins and minerals. Too much food we all well know causes health problems. You can prepare a very healthy diet for your children using locally available ingredients, high in natural foods like fruit and vegetables. Healthy food should be rich in vitamins and other disease-fighting nutrients. So, more fruits, nuts, seeds, legumes, and vegetables for the kids!
2. Health Supplements
Food from supermarkets may not always provide the range of nutrients kids need for a strong immune system. If you’re concerned your children aren’t getting enough vitamins, or they simply won’t eat their greens, there are many health supplements to fit in the gap. We highly recommend moringa for an easy to swallow and highly nutritious supplement for kids. Moringa is one of the highly sought-after superfoods because of its massive medicinal benefits. High in so many vitamins, it will fill many gaps in your child’s vitamin intake should there be any.
Other good supplements for your children’s immunity include: Vitamin C, Vitamin D and Zinc. Did you know that getting fresh air and basking in the sun boosts the immune system? It’s true because the sun helps the body to synthesize Vitamin D.
3. Keep Them Active
Another way to keep their immune systems strong is by keeping them physically active. A sedentary lifestyle is not good for kids as it lowers their immunity. It could also expose them to other health problems like diabetes and obesity. Keeping kids physically active does not require much. According to Wayne from Harris Gym, getting the heart rate up any way possible at all is good for health. It’s not often you’ll see children at the gym, they’re more likely to enjoy playing outdoors or on sports teams with friends, but if the parents want some gym time and the kids love exercising, why not encourage them to come along too? It might just start the formation of a very good lifetime habit.
Wayne also recommends developing a family exercise plan so everyone can work out together and the whole family can boost their natural defense against germs and bacteria together. We think this is a great idea, more family time has also been shown to help immunity.
4. Wearing Masks
One of WHO’s recommendations to fight coronavirus is wearing masks, and it applies to everyone, including children. That said however, they SHOULD NOT be wearing masks when alone or when running around as this can cause hypoxia and even death. Only put masks on children in high-risk areas when you are worried about them.
The reasons why masks are important is to reduce the risk of spreading the virus. Masks help to catch saliva spittle coming from the mouth. Coronavirus is apparently transferred through body fluid, like mucus and saliva. Make sure your kids are putting on masks when going to public places, but make sure you take it off them as soon as they are safe or if they go out to play.
5. Hand Sanitizing
Another recommendation by WHO on coronavirus prevention is sanitizing and washing hands. This helps to get rid of the virus collected from touching dirty surfaces. For children however, the use of hand sanitizers should be limited. According to health professionals at MedisupplyWarehouse, hand sanitizer kills off good bacteria, and can actually weaken the immune system if used to often.
Keep this in mind and try not to sanitize more than a few times a day. Water and soap also kill germs so this is preferable if possible. If the children stay at home or in places where you feel they are at low-risk, you shouldn’t keep sanitizing them.
6. Drink Plenty of Water
Drinking water is another way of keeping your kids’ immune systems strong. For the body to operate optimally and keep immunity in the best shape, it should be well hydrated. Make sure they are drinking plenty of water, especially on hot days.
Sometimes getting kids to drink water can be a bit difficult, we know. Health experts recommend investing in water filters that produce alkaline water. It’s even better if you have one of these connected to your refrigerator pumping out fresh, cold, drinking water – anytime of day. This water is healthier, tastes better and the children will love to drink it! More water means a better immune system, so it might be a good investment to get a fridge filter if you haven’t got one already.
7. Healthy Sleeping
Most people know it already, enough sleep can help boost immunity. If your kids are not getting enough sleep, then there is a heightened risk of getting sick. You need to develop a healthy sleeping schedule where they sleep for no less than 9 hours. Health experts recommend 9-11 hours of sleep for kids between 6 and 12 years old. Kids between 13 to 18 years should sleep 8-10 hours. The age of your kids will determine the best sleep schedule for them.
8. Reduce Stress Levels
Most parents don’t know that kids also get affected by stress. Just like in adults, stress lowers immunity and can cause many other health issues. You need to monitor your kids closely if you think they might be getting stressed. It is always best to protect them from stressful situations. If they are being bullied in school, make sure that the problem is addressed and fixed as soon as possible. Giving them support will help build their confidence. By showing them what they are doing well and always being there for them to talk when things go wrong goes a long way.
9. Practice Good Hygiene
Practicing good hygiene is another tip to keeping your kids’ immune system strong during COVID. Poor hygiene exposes one to germs, viruses and harmful bacteria. All these are health hazards that can cause health problems. To improve immunity, you must ensure that your kids are observing good hygiene. Keep your home clean and free of harmful bacteria, viruses and germs by disinfecting surfaces and cleaning up old food and dust etc. From the living room tables, study room to the kitchen island, keep the surfaces clean and tidy. You can easily pick up some disinfecting agent from your local pharmacy.
10. Wearing Warm Clothes
Health tends to falls during colder seasons. You can keep your children’s immunity strong by putting on warmer clothes. But don’t bundle them up so they are too hot and dehydrate themselves by sweating too much. Have them put on several light layers of clothes. These provide better insulation than wearing a single piece of thick clothing, and can be removed periodically. Cotton socks as well as cotton beanies and scarves are also recommended for keeping warm.
In conclusion, there are many risks factor that promotes COVID-19 infections. But keeping the immunity strong helps to fight the virus as well as also reduce its adverse symptoms. These are some of the best ways to keep your kids’ immunity strong during COVID.
