It's Sneezing Season: Preventing Colds in Kids
The green grass is beginning to dimly fade into golden brown leaves.
Transitioning from Fall to Winter is beautifully chilly.
Personally, I’m two degrees from wearing my beanie and a sweater in the morning.
A change in the weather typically causes changes within our bodies. Common cold viruses and similar nuisances love to venture out for warm bodies to occupy.
Our immune systems have to bulk up on its armor to protect our body. Cold viruses spread quicker through the air and with direct contact, like walking into a sneeze or coughing in someone’s face. My two year old niece is notorious for sneezing in my face without a warning.
There’s preventative measures that can be taken to help protect the body from catching common colds.
Actively Hydrate
Hydration and physical activity is important to prevent colds. Running and jumping are two activities kids enjoy. They seem to enjoy them without any limits. Your bed will be a trampoline and your hallway turns into track lanes. Hydration keeps them balanced and focused to stay active. Regular activity helps them exercise to maintain a healthy body.
Dipping & Dodging
The cold virus is highly contagious within the first three days of experiencing symptoms. Sick kids should attempt to stay home until symptoms improve. Avoiding sick people and teaching kids to wash their hands is essential for prevention. Viruses tend to cling to toys and hands. Remind kids to avoid sticking their hands and toys in their mouths. Kids love to wash their hands as toddlers just to play in the water. Regularly washing their hands at that stage will prepare them for cleanliness in the future.
More Rest & Less Stress
Children experience stress just like adults. When I was younger, I was definitely stressed out on Christmas Eve. I would search for hidden gifts and try to decipher what’s under the wrapping paper by the weight of the object. I’d be too anxious to sleep through the night. However, some children feel stressed for serious reasons. Exhaustion, pain, and other discomforting elements can cause stress. A healthy lifestyle for children will keep their body healthy and stress free to combat cold viruses.
Don’t suppress a child’s immune system by making them live in a bubble to avoid the filthy viruses floating around. Children need to experience a few colds so that their bodies can learn how to fight off unwanted germs. You can adapt the preventative measures to avoid catching constant cold viruses throughout the year.
Don’t forget to wash those hands during sneezing season.