Welcome winter
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Harsh weather conditions
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Dangerous driving conditions
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Higher rates of respiratory illnesses
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Limited outdoor activities
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Cons
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Beautiful winter landscapes
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Cozy and inviting atmosphere
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Fun cold-weather outdoor experiences and sports
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Alleviate your seasonal outdoor allergies
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Pros
Pros and Cons of Winter
How to protect yourself from catching a cold?
While cold and flu germs can float through the air on the invisible droplets of an uncovered sneeze or cough, touching an infected surface is the most common way to pick up the influenza virus.
This makes good handwashing hygiene vital for school-aged children who are used to touching surfaces around them without giving it a second thought.
Your child may not realize it, but it’s likely that they touch their face an average of 16 times per hour. Rubbing their eyes, scratching their nose, or chewing on their fingernails is a route for influenza to travel into the body. It’s best to avoid touching their face, and encourage them to use hand sanitizer throughout the day.
Sleep is crucial for keeping the immune system healthy and strong. Skimping on sleep can make the body more susceptible to germs.
Many families are adjusting to working from home, social distancing and disruptions to their regular schedule. It’s helpful to stick to a daily routine and get the family in bed at the same time each day. While most adults need seven or eight hours of sleep each night, kids need 10 to 14 hours, depending on their age.
Making sure your family eats wholesome, well-balanced meals not only promotes proper growth and development, it strengthens their immune system. All of the body’s cells require adequate nutrition to function optimally.
Eating a wide variety of nutritious foods ensures that your youngsters and teens get crucial nutrients the immune system needs to stay strong. To boost intake of infection-fighting antioxidants, aim to have them fill at least half of their plates with a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables.
Physical activity bolsters the immune system; people who lead an active lifestyle are less prone to colds and flu. Exercise helps to regulate the immune system by stimulating white blood cells that fight infection.
Physical activity also helps to flush bacteria from the lungs, which may help reduce the risk of catching a cold.
The unprecedented change brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic means that stress levels are at an all-time high. One of the many ways stress is bad for a child or teen’s health is how it can sabotage their immune system.
It’s vital to make time for stress-busting activities such as reading a book or listening to soothing music. Stress-relieving activities should be a part of your family’s daily routine. Consider activities your family enjoys, and make it a priority to engage in relaxing activities each day.
Wearing a facemask when you leave home not only protects against COVID-19, it may also reduce the risk of the flu. It can be spread through droplets when someone coughs or sneezes, as well as from touching contaminated surfaces.
Winter Holidays
Take a look at this list of several popular traditions celebrated during winter holidays around the world and share them with your kids. We hope they inspire further discussion and learning with some related activities.
