This is a partnered post with MYidealDOCTOR. All opinions are my own.
“Mom, I don’t feel so good.” Those are words I have always dreaded hearing when my kids arrived home from school. It seems that every year, as soon as school starts, the kids bring home germs. I’ve tried to find ways to avoid this, but being in close contact with other children and the onset of fall allergies always requires a few sick days. This year, thanks to Dr. Jonathan Williams, the medical director for MYidealDOCTOR Telehealth, I’ve found five tips to help keep kids healthy.
1. Get some sleep! The National Sleep Foundation recommends 10-11 hours of sleep per night for children ages 5-12, but it’s not always easy to catch those zzz’s! At our home, we found a regular routine helped calm the kids down after a long day. We spent an hour before bed getting ready, having a snack and reading bedtime stories. The kids enjoyed the bedtime stories so much l I always had to check and make sure my daughter didn’t have a flashlight hidden in her bed so she could continue reading!
2. Exercise, exercise, exercise! According to Harvard Health, your first line of defense is to choose a healthy lifestyle. Exercising regularly can not only help you stay healthy, it can realize pent up energy left over from the school day.
3. Scrub those hands! Kids can come in contact with germs just about anywhere; on doorknobs, water fountains, from being around other kids who are coughing and sneezing. Whenever a child rubs their eye or nose, those germs can take root. Good handwashing is the first line of defense for preventing germs. According to the CDC, hands need to be scrubbed for 20 seconds. That might seem like a long time for a child, so teach them to sing “Happy Birthday” aloud or in their head while hand washing to get in the full 20 seconds!
4. Get a Flu Shot. The CDC recommends everyone 6 months and older get an annual flu vaccination (with rare exceptions.)
5. Eat Foods that Are High in Vitamin C. This isn’t only citrus fruit! Other foods high in vitamin C include strawberries, bell peppers and dark, leafy greens!
Sometimes, even following these tips, your child can get sick anyway, usually in the middle of the night when it is impossible to get to your primary physician. If you are a Georgia resident, you can consult with a licensed physician from the comfort of their own homes and at any time (24 hours a day, seven days a week), by calling MYidealDOCTOR at 855-879-4332 Physicians can write prescriptions, if warranted, and send them electronically to the patient’s pharmacy of choice.
What are your best tips for keeping kids healthy during back to school season?
These are great tips! I also make sure to follow these to stay healthy- adults can be germy too
I try to increase fresh fruits and vegetables, take a multivitamin and wash my hands like crazy during this time of year. It seems like there is always something going around that we are trying to avoid.
Great tips! As a former Special Ed Teacher I am still extra careful come this time of year. September when it’s still warm during the day but cooler in the evenings seem to be the prime month for people to get sick, I guess that is why the flu shot should ideally be taken this month?
I have been diligent about hand washing because I can’t afford to get sick. I am constantly reminding my son and husband to wash their hands. With school and work they are in contact with all kinds of germs!
These are great tips. I think it is important to do as much as we can to stay healthy. We always get our flu shots.
We get our flu shots every year. I am always reminding the kids to wash their hands. It is cold and flu season already.
we had a rough cold & flu season last year, and I definitely don’t want a repeat. Going to keep these ideas in mind.
These are great tips. My kids take their daily dose of Vitamin C diligently because they love the chewable tablets.
We follow all of the above tips except one. We don’t get flu shots. We could also do with more sleep.
Back to school time is very bad for getting sick. Since kids are back in the classroom, they spread germs more easily.
These are good, sensible tips, and it never hurts to be reminded of common sense tips (we sometimes get too lazy and casual about basic things that are important).
I am also a big advocate of sleep and washing your hands. Those little sick bugs can be shared so easy and prevention will help.
Great tips! It’s so important. I find so many kids go to school sick, and tend to get everyone else sick but my kids because they eat well, get good sleep and are very healthy usually don’t get it. It can be hard though because those germs are everywhere!
These are all great tips,I dread when school starts because I always know someone will end up bringing something home especially as the weather gets colder.
I agree with all these tips. Getting enough sleep helps the body repair itself. Vitamin C strengthens immunity and personal hygiene is a good habit to have.
We keep a steady supply of hand sanitizer around too. So many germs flying around out there, you can never be too careful!
It is definitely that time of year to get sick!
My kids were sick last week. It’s been so important to get the proper amount of rest and wash hands frequently.
Wash wash wash your hands That’s the number one way to stay healthy and keep your hands away from your face.
We are getting our flu shots tomorrow. Always seems so early but it’s great to have it done before flu season kicks in!
These tips are all super important to keep in mind. I give my children a daily multivitamin, probiotic and extra Vitamin D to assist with immunity. So far, so good!
I didn’t get a flu shot yet. It’s on my to do list. 🙂
My daughter was just home from school this past Tuesday. She doesn’t get the flu shot, but she does do the mist.
I’m due for my flu shot… I need to get one before my mom visits next week!
I make sure my kids get the flu shot every fall because you never know what new strain is going to come out and I want them to be protected as much as possible.
I have been having trouble with the sleep part. Bella has had this cold since school started. I loved the pictures you shared. I am the hand washing army drill Sergent around our house.
This is a valuable list, as it contains solid, sure-fire methods to combat a bug.
I’m a big advocate of SLEEP, washing hands regularly and getting extra Vitamin C during this time of the year. Love your pictures!
I love all of your tips. Sadly, I am the one with the sniffles currently.
These are all great tips. The 2 years my son was in public school he was sick within the first two weeks.
Yup, same thing over here. It never fails.
These are all great tips. When school goes back into session, I start taking my vitamin C supplement, and I make sure EVERYBODY in the house washes their hands whenever they come home.
I agree, they are great tips. Taking extra vitamin C is a great idea. I need to start doing that.