While we may be in California, where the weather doesn’t get as dreary as it does in parts of the Midwest and the North of the country, it doesn’t mean that we’re spared from the cold and flu season. Being proactive and prepared to keep your family safe and healthy through the fall and winter (flu season) can bring you peace of mind and a sense of security as we’re still navigating our way out of a global pandemic. There are easy steps you can take every day to prepare for your kiddos bringing home a bug from school or you picking one up at the office.
Take Your Multis
At this point, we all should be taking a multivitamin at a minimum every single day. But, there are others that we can stack on top of those to get the most out of supplement regimens. Essential vitamins that everyone in your household should be getting every day are vitamin C and vitamin D. If you’re a parent, you remember how their pediatrician probably recommended supplementing vitamin D drops for them when your child was a newborn. There’s a reason for that. Vitamin D is critical for immune health.
Additionally, you should be adding elderberry gummies to everyone’s routine during cold and flu season. Elderberry is a proven antiviral, so it’s a great addition. For children under five, you’ll want to consult with their pediatrician before use. Still, elderberry is generally considered safe and well-tolerated by even children as young as two years old.
Stay Physically Active
Fortunately, in California, the weather is idyllic virtually year-round, so as Californians, we have no excuse for not getting outside and staying physically active. Make it a point to create time out of every day for you and members of your household to get outside, get moving, and breathe in that fresh air. Air in our lungs is a gift every day and one we should not take for granted, so get that heart rate up and take in big breaths. If you’re getting your exercise outside, you’re also getting the benefit of additional Vitamin D from the sun, so it’s a win/win. It’s never too late to invest in yourself every day, so get started today!
Make Sure You’re Sleeping Enough
Burning the candle at both ends can creep up on you whether you’re a parent, working hard in your career, or anywhere in between on the spectrum. One of the most extraordinary things you and your household can do to stay healthy during cold and flu season is also one of the easiest – getting enough sleep! Sleep is an important time for the body to heal and restore itself. So, make sure you’re catching at least eight to nine hours of sleep a night before you wear yourself down, which in turn wears your immune system down.
Depending on their age, children need even more sleep than they may be getting. If your child is still very young, they need anywhere from ten to twelve hours of sleep a night. So, cultivate a nighttime routine that prepares them for a solid night’s sleep by relaxing in the bath, reading with one another, and whatever else your household includes in the bedtime routine. White noise machines are solid investments for children and adults alike to keep us in a deep, restorative sleep.
Staying Home When Sick
If you or a family member does come down with a bug, do their classmates and your coworkers a favor and stay home. If you’re not running a fever or coughing, chances are you’re okay to run to the grocery store or pharmacy and get what you need, but it’s best to stay at home until you are all symptom-free to prevent spreading bugs to others that may be immune-compromised. It’s also a good idea to have a stock of medicines and herbs you and your family trust to make you feel better when you have the sniffles to avoid last-minute trips to the pharmacy.
Seasonal viruses are a part of life, and we will all come down with them every once and a while. But, the better shape you and your immune system are in, the more likely you are to be able to take it in stride. So, consider implementing those mentioned above to give you a head start. Here’s to your health!
