It’s time for back to school, and like many others, you may be feeling anxious about your children or yourself going back. With viruses like COVID-19, the flu, and others, prioritizing your health during this time of the year is a great idea.
It may not be possible to shield yourself from bacteria and germs completely, but there are still many things you can do for yourself and your family to stay healthy as you go back to school. Keep reading as we share tips for staying healthy during this time!
Practice Good Hygiene
Staying healthy during back-to-school time and any time of the year requires practicing good hygiene. According to the CDC, it’s recommended to wash your hands often, particularly before eating, after being around a sick person, and after using the restroom. Use soap and water, and be sure to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds.
Try not to touch your mouth, nose, and eyes, especially if you have been around someone sick or if you have not washed your hands. If you feel a sneeze coming, sneeze into your elbow, and always cover your mouth when coughing.
If your child is sick, don’t send them to school because they could spread the illness. If you or your children get sick, stay at home and get essential rest so that you can get better faster.
Eat Nutritious Foods
Eating foods with a high nutritional value is vital for a strong immune system and staying healthy. Many of the vitamins and minerals that your body needs to function come from the foods you eat.
The Cleveland Clinic states that your immune system needs various vitamins and minerals to perform, including vitamins A, C, D, and E, iron, zinc, folate, and selenium. They support your immune system to function correctly and help shorten, fight off, and prevent infections.
Many foods have abundant vitamins and minerals, including strawberries, cantaloupe, spinach, kale, avocado, chickpeas, carrots, sweet potatoes, sunflower seeds, almonds, beans, salmon, and turkey. It’s a great idea to include various fruits and vegetables in your diet consistently, and many others have these crucial vitamins and minerals.
Making a smoothie is a tasty way to consume a number of these healthy foods easily. Choose your favorite fruits, such as blueberries, strawberries, and kiwi, then add some kale and spinach and put it all in a blender. Blend with water until creamy and enjoy. This will make you a smoothie that is nutritious and delicious!
Eating fewer foods that fill you up but do not have high nutritional value, like sugar and processed foods, can help you stay healthy. Cooking more at home and eating out less is an easy way to do this. When you cook more of your meals at home, you can choose healthier and more nutritious foods that help your body function properly.
Create Healthy Habits
Developing healthy habits and practicing them daily can make a big difference in you and your family’s health during back-to-school time. Drinking enough water to stay hydrated is a vital, healthy habit. Water makes up a large percentage of your body, and it serves numerous purposes in keeping you in a healthy state.
Another healthy habit that helps you feel your best is exercise. The Mayo Clinic estimates that healthy adults should complete a moderate activity for at least 150 minutes or vigorous activity for at least 75 minutes per week. Some moderate activity exercises include swimming, taking a brisk walk, and riding a bike. Examples of more vigorous exercises are jumping rope, running, and playing basketball.
Having good sleep habits is another essential part of staying healthy. Depending on your age, you will need different amounts of sleep per day. According to the Mayo Clinic, adults need at least 7 hours of sleep per day, while children ages 6 to 12 need 9 to 12 hours of sleep.
Stress can negatively impact your mind and body, so finding ways to reduce stress can help keep you healthy. There are various ways to reduce stress for you to choose from, including learning better ways for coping with stress, mindfulness and meditation techniques, and scheduling relaxation time.
We hope that these suggestions will help you stay healthy when going back to school and the rest of the year!
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