One thing that concerns parents the most when sending their children to school is their health. At school, sickness and viruses can spread easily. It means that there’s a good chance for children to catch a common cold, cough, or flu. As much as we want to shield our children from germs and viruses, these things spread like wildfire. Don’t worry. We have put together a list of things you can do to keep your child healthy throughout the school year and avoid getting sick at school.

Get plenty of sleep

Getting an adequate amount of sleep is one of the best ways to strengthen your child’s immune system. Make sure they are well rested and getting about 9 to 10 hours of sleep each night. It’s also important that they don’t stay up late so they wake up refreshed. If you are having difficulty sending your children to bed early, one of the things you can do is to avoid screen time at least an hour before bedtime.

Maintain a well-balanced diet

The habit of eating healthy should start at an early age. Make sure that your child’s diet includes the right mix of vegetable, fruits, proteins and adequate water. Their consumption of junk foods such as candies, chips, and sodas should also be minimized. To keep their immune system strong, you can have your children eat yogurt because it contains probiotics, which are known to be healthy bacteria. To help rid the body of flu viruses, it is best to consume foods that are rich in omega 3 fatty acids such as salmon, shellfish and mackerel.

Exercise regularly

Just like adults, children also need regular exercise. They need to be physically active to be healthy and to keep their immune system strong. Exercise also increases a child’s ability to fight off infections. Help your child achieve an active and healthy lifestyle by encouraging them to play sports or outdoor games with other children.  Take them to the park on weekends;go to the beach or visit a nearby walking trail.

Use utensils to eat

Instead of using their hands to put food in their mouth, teach your children to use utensils every time they eat. This will help reduce the possibility of contaminating food with germs.

Wash hands thoroughly

Effective hand washing is another habit that children should be taught. As soon as they get home from school, send them straight to the sink to clean their hands. They should also do the same before and after meals. It’s also important to teach them the proper way of washing their hands.

Keep hands away from eyes, nose, and mouth

Germs and bacteria can easily enter the body when children place their hands on their eyes, mouth, and nose. If there’s a need to wipe these areas, have them use a tissue.

Use hand sanitizer

Soap and water are not always accessible at school. That’s why it is best to have children use  hand sanitizer. You can have them bring a small bottle in their bag or keep it handy in your purse or car.

Stay away from stress

Your child’s mental health is just as important as their physical health. In fact, their mental well being can significantly affect their overall wellness. Make it a point to check with them and observe if there are any drastic changes in their behavior. Children get stressed when they are dealing with a sudden change. Be with them as they cope with stress.

There’s no doubt that germs and viruses spread uncontrollably at schools. You can always refer to these tips to make sure your child is protected from getting sick at school.

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