A parent's worst nightmare is to think that their child could contract an infectious disease, particularly during this current pandemic. To prevent sickening our children, it is important that we encourage healthy habits and take measures to boost their immunity from an early age. The immune system is affected by many factors outside our control, but a few simple measures can help keep it functioning effectively.
Maintaining an active lifestyle
Exercising regularly can boost the production of cells required to fight infections. As outdoor sports and activities are limited during the pandemic, it can be challenging to stay active. You can, however, keep your kids active in some traditional and modern ways. You can follow these steps:
- Create a schedule for yourself and your children that includes both structured indoor and outdoor physical activities.
- Include activities that encourage them to exercise (without being in contact with other kids or things touched by other kids, like playground equipment). Exercise can be a wonderful way to burn off energy and help kids burn it off.
- Get your children involved in a dance competition or listen to music. Dance challenges online will allow you to build your stamina and get fit together.
- Play a game while cleaning or cooking with your child. This way you will not only maintain their interest, but you will also teach them responsibility and cleaning skills.
- Encourage them to learn new things, e.g., teach them to skip or learn how to fold origami.
Kids' Diet - Foods they should consume and should avoid
We must ensure that we take care of our children's nutritional needs as well as providing them with power foods that have nutrients to help them resist illness. It is important to serve your kids certain types of foods that can help their immune systems be as strong as possible, so they are ready to fight every time they are exposed to germs.
Building and repairing body tissues and fighting viral and bacterial infections are critical for a growing child. Antibodies and immune cells are both powered by protein. A balanced diet should include lean meat such as chicken and fish, eggs, and hard-boiled eggs, along with curries, pasta dishes, noodles, and egg rolls. Eating egg rolls with roti can provide the required protein, omega 3 fatty acids, zinc, and iron.
To meet this requirement, vegetarians can eat nuts, dates, milk, pulses, lentils, and soya in their diets.
Lifestyle
It's important for children to have varied playtime, lots of down time, and plenty of time to rest in the fast-paced society of today. Parents today are overburdened, and children overscheduled, so it can take a toll on immunity.
- Stick to mealtimes: You should ensure your child eats regularly because their bodies need nutrients and energy to guard against infections. Sticking to the same routine that your child follows in school is extremely helpful.
- Reading aloud on the balcony, or playing card games, or having picnic breakfasts in your backyard, can help you increase white blood cells, which are your body's defenders. Vitamin D levels are essential for improving symptoms of these conditions.
- Keeping children's immune systems in top shape means ensuring they get 10 to 12 hours of uninterrupted sleep every day. That means their bodies prepare to fight off any germs they may come across.
- Considering the potential effects of screen time on sleep quality, it is recommended to ensure that your child's electronic devices are turned off at least 2-3 hours before bedtime.
- Wash your hands after sneezing, coughing, and going to the bathroom. Touch transmits up to 80% of disease. Teach your children to wash their hands for at least 20 seconds after handling objects that contain bacteria and viruses.
Conclusion
The coming weeks call for parents to engage themselves and their children and to keep them healthy. Let us not see this as a burden; rather, let us see it as an opportunity to cultivate a strong relationship with our child, one that will last beyond this crisis and will live even longer.
