It’s that time of the year again! The time of the year when everyone in your family seems to go from one illness straight to another. Your house has become a constant chorus of sniffles and coughs. It can be frustrating and exhausting trying to keep your family healthy in the winter. While it may seem like a daunting task to shield your family from germs all winter long, there are a few surprisingly easy ways you can protect your family. This article is here to help you learn some simple practices that will help keep your family healthy in the winter.
Maintain Good Hygiene
The first tip is to help your family maintain good hygiene. If you have young children, or even teenagers, this may seem harder than it sounds. However, it can actually be quite simple. Practice sneezing into the crook of your elbow instead of your hands will stop germs from spreading to doorknobs and toys. You should also encourage your family to wash their hands as much as possible. Always make sure you wash your hands before you eat and after you use the restroom. If your children go to school, consider sending them to school with a little hand sanitizer. This can stop them from bringing all the germs from school into your home. Keeping good hygiene is the easiest way to stop germs in their tracks!
Eat a Well Rounded Diet
Another super simple way to keep your family healthy in the winter is to feed them good foods. When we put good healthy food into our bodies it gives them the energy needed to fight off viruses. While sugary cereals are quick and easy breakfast solutions, try starting your morning off with plenty of protein instead. Good sources of protein include eggs, cottage cheese, milk, and protein shakes. During the day make sure you are eating a “rainbow” of fruits and vegetables. This variety will ensure you are getting plenty of vitamins from lots of different sources Try and eat organic fruits and veggies when you can. It is also a good idea to add a multivitamin or elderberry syrup to your daily routine.
Stay Hydrated to Stay Healthy in the Winter
Most people don’t know that drinking lots of water is a good way to boost your immune system. This is especially important during the winter months. The cold weather outside can be particularly harsh on your skin. Dry skin can cause cracks that can invite bacteria and germs into our bodies. Staying hydrated will keep your skin soft which will avoid the cuts and cracks in your hands. Avoid drinking too many sugary drinks like colas or fruit juices.While we may be tempted to drink lots of hot beverages in the winter time, drinking water is your best bet to stay healthy in the winter.
Get Plenty of Sleep
Make sure your family is getting plenty of rest. A full night’s sleep can be difficult to do, especially with teenagers, but it is crucial for your health. When your body is well rested it can help eliminate stress in your life. Emotional stress can actually make you physically ill, so eliminating stress from your life is a great way to keep yourself healthy in the winter. Set a bedtime for your kids and stick to it! Winter brings shorter days and longer nights, so it shouldn’t be hard to get a full 8 hours of sleep each night.
Spend Time Outdoors
The last solution to keeping your family healthy is a reminder to spend time outside. During the winter you may be tempted to stay indoors where it is warm, but going outside has lots of benefits. Spending time outdoors exposes your family to fresh air and vitamin D from the sun. It also helps eliminate some unnecessary screen time from your family’s schedule. So find an outdoor winter activity your whole family will enjoy and have fun playing outside!
In Conclusion
Don’t let your family spend this winter laying in bed sick. These simple ideas are easy to incorporate into your family’s routine to help this winter be the healthiest one yet.
