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Boost your family's immunity

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The office is already thinning out as people start succumbing to those early winter bugs - or have to take time off to care for sick children. When children spend the day at school, it’s impossible to avoid them being exposed to germs, which they then bring home and share with you!

How your child’s body copes with this inevitable exposure to the latest nasty bug that is going around will depend on a number of factors:

The right balance of nutrients. Encouraging children to enjoy a wide range of foods (including colourful vegetables and fruit) is an ongoing process. Children need to be exposed to a variety of foods and get used to seeing them on their plates, whether they choose to eat them or not. A good multivitamin, aimed at children, will help fill the gaps, especially if your child is a fussy eater or can’t eat certain foods because of allergies.

  • Personal hygiene. Keeping hands clean is one of the most crucial ways to minimise the impact of playground germ exposure. It should become second nature for your child to wash his or her hands after going to the toilet and before eating.
  • Regular sleep habits. Sticking with more or less the same bedtime and wake-up time is one of the most important habits a child can develop, and it helps keep the immune system strong too.
  • Daily activity. Research has shown that people who exercise get fewer colds, and fight them off more quickly if they do get them.

Oh, and bear in mind, all of these apply just as much to adults. Staving off those bugs is doubly important for parents, as you need to be strong and fit to take care of your kids. How are things going at your house so far this winter?

(Health24)
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