kids immune system

10 Ways to Boost Your Childs Immune System

Your kids’ immune system is one of the body’s most important defence mechanisms. It protects them from all sorts of viruses, bacteria, and other things that can make us sick. As a parent, there’s nothing worse than when your little one is under the weather. It’s easy to feel helpless when your child is coughing and spluttering all day long. So in order to lower the likelihood of having to deal with such a situation, we’ve put together a quick rundown of some of the best ways to boost a child’s immunity.

#1 Keep their hands clean

Making sure your kids keep their hands clean is one of the easiest (and most important) things you can do to help boost their immune system. Teach them to always wash their hands with soap and water, especially before they eat or touch their face. If you’re on the go, make sure to pack some hand sanitizer as well. Prevention is better than cure – but aftercare is important too. Make sure they wash their hands after they’ve finished playing outside, too.

#2 Make sure they get enough sleep

One of the best ways to boost your child’s immune system is by making sure they get enough sleep. A good night’s sleep helps the body to recharge and repair itself, which is essential for a healthy immune system. Most young children need around 11 hours of sleep per day, but you may need to adjust this amount depending on your child’s age and individual needs.

As part of making sure your kids get enough sleep, you can teach them about sleep hygiene. Show them how to establish a bedtime routine, and make sure they avoid watching TV or using electronic devices in the hours leading up to bed.

#3 Make sure they eat healthy, well-balanced meals as often as possible

A healthy diet is another important factor in keeping your child’s immune system strong. Make sure they’re eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, as well as lean protein and whole grains. Avoid processed foods whenever possible, as they are often high in sugar and unhealthy fats. It’s easy (and tempting) for children to eat unhealthy foods, but having the right foods to hand will make sure they’re getting the nutrients they need to stay healthy.

You should also pay attention to what you don’t eat as much as what you do. To keep kids on the right track, avoid buying unhealthy snacks and make sure to have plenty of healthy options on hand. Get them in the habit of eating a nutritious breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day. One smart way to give your kids a treat and keeping it healthy is to try gummy vitamins for kids. They can contain sugar but they also contain a huge array of vitamins and minerals. You might otherwise find it hard to get your child to take these supplements. Taking pills for a kid is not fun!

Another great alternative is to consider a health tonic for kids. Again, as pills aren’t involved, it’s a lot easier to convince your child to take it. These products, such as the one Floradix makes, are delicious and fruity. It’s an easy sell!

#4 Supplement their diet with immune-boosting foods, like garlic and ginger

There are a number of natural foods that have been shown to boost the immune system. Garlic and ginger are two of the most well-known, and they’re easy to add to your child’s diet. You can give them raw or cooked garlic (or garlic supplements) as part of their daily diet. For ginger, you can grate fresh ginger into their food, or give them a ginger supplement.

There are also a number of other immune-boosting foods that your child may enjoy, including: oranges, kiwis, and yogurt. Supplementing their diet with these types of foods is an easy way to help keep their immune system strong. You can also try supplementing their diet with immune-boosting herbs, such as Liquorice.

#5 Give them plenty of time outside to play in the sun or take walks together

Getting outside for some exercise is another great way to help boost your child’s immune system. The sun is a natural source of vitamin D, which helps the body to fight infection. Taking walks together as a family is also a great way to get some exercise and spend quality time together.

Of course, the favourite of most kids is visiting the park. Playing outside is a great way for them to get some exercise and fresh air. Just make sure they’re wearing sunscreen if they’re going to be in the sun for an extended period of time.

Playing outdoor sports is another great way for kids to get some exercise and boost their immune system. Team sports are especially beneficial, as they teach children the importance of working together and discipline.

#6 Make sure they drink lots of fluids

Drinking plenty of fluids is another easy way to help keep your child’s immune system strong. Water and tea are both great options, as they’re both very hydrating. Make sure your child has a water bottle with them at all times, and try to limit their intake of sugary drinks like juice and soda.

Although drinking too much juice can be detrimental to your child’s health, eating fruit is a good way to not only hydrate them but give them lots of vitamins too. The fibre in fruit means their blood sugar will not be spiked – unlike drinking pure fruit juice. Oranges are a great source of Vitamin C.

#7 Dress them appropriately for the weather

Another important factor in keeping your child’s immune system strong is making sure they’re dressed properly for the weather. If it’s cold, make sure they’re wrapped up warm. And if it’s hot, make sure they’re wearing light clothes and staying hydrated. Although keeping your child snug in cold weather is obvious to most parents, the opposite is also worth thinking about. If your child is too hot, it can put unnecessary stress on their body, which definitely isn’t good for immune function.

It can be hard to keep track of the weather, especially if you live somewhere where the weather can be temperamental. But keeping on top of forecasts is easy enough, and worth it. Making sure your child is dressed appropriately for the weather is crucial to helping them stay healthy.

#8 Think about introducing them to yoga or meditation

This one’s not strictly about immunity, but it is about maintaining your child’s mental wellbeing. Introducing your child to yoga or meditation may also help keep their immune system strong, too. Yoga is a great way for children to relax and release any tension they may be feeling. And meditation can help them learn how to focus and calm down. Both of these practices can be taught at an early age, and are a great way to help your child stay healthy and relaxed.

While it may seem that yoga and meditation would be something reserved for adults, there are many apps and courses that take into account the needs of children, even offering programs tailored to them that are easier to follow than the adult equivalents.

#9 Encourage them to laugh and have fun!

One of the best things you can do to help boost your kids’ immune system is to encourage them to laugh and have fun. Laughter is a great way for children to release any stress or tension they may be feeling. And having fun is just plain good for their health!

In this busy world that we’re living in, it can be so easy to forget how much fun our childhood was. By encouraging your child to laugh and have fun, you’re helping them to stay healthy both physically and mentally. Laughter is also scientifically proven to boost health and deter mental issues, so it’s definitely something worth doing.

#10 Take care of yourself too! A healthy parent means a healthy child

You might prioritise taking care of your child’s health, but don’t forget to take care of yourself too! A healthy parent means a healthy child. Make sure you’re getting enough sleep, eating properly, and doing your best to boost your own immunity. And if you’re feeling stressed, take some time to relax.

If you are sick, it’s common sense that looking after your child is going to be a difficult affair. In this case, it might be a good idea to ask a friend or family member to help out with looking after your child until you’re feeling better.

It’s also important that you don’t spread any sickness to your child – if you are feeling unwell, make sure to wash your hands regularly and avoid spreading germs via coughing or sneezing. Explain to your child the precautions you’re taking so they understand why you’re less physical with them – this will also give them a better understanding of germs as a whole.

Keeping your kids immune system in shape

There’s little that is more important to a parent than looking after their little one. With the above tips, you should be able to make sure your children are fighting fit around the clock. With a little effort on your part, it will be easier for them to make sure they can handle whatever bugs they come across!

So whether you’re looking for ways to prevent their cold or trying to boost their immunity so they can enjoy more time playing outside, try out these tips and let us know what you think. What are some other things you do to keep your kids healthy? Let us know by leaving a comment below!