If your children are going to school this fall you know there is an overload of information. From school supplies, to clothes shopping, to picking out the perfect backpack, the lists can feel like they never end. But in the midst of the hustle it is easy to forget about your body. Your child is about to be exposed to an overload of germs! Germs that they haven’t had to battle in a few months, and let me just say it can be a shock to their immune systems. And what do they do with all of those germs? They bring them home to you, how wonderful! Well don’t worry. I have compiled the 5 best tips to surviving the back to school germs. It is a part of it, however it can be maintained. On the bright side all of those germs are strengthening their immune systems, and that is absolutely crucial living in this world. But there are ways to help manage it all so that it is not a system overload for your family.
5 Tips For Back to School
1. Boost the Vitamin C
The back to school germs are real, but an easy way to combat them is to boost your families vitamin C intake. You can do this naturally through the foods they eat such as: oranges, strawberries, bell peppers, and leafy greens. The reason that vitamin C is such a good nutrient to have is because it is a powerful antioxidant that helps your bodies immune system fight germs and diseases. It also helps white blood cells function more efficiently, it strengthens your heart and lowers blood pressure. You can also give your family vitamin C supplements that work very well also.
2. Use Essential Oils
Whether you are all in with essential oils or not too sure, just give this one kind a try. Young Living has a blend called “Thieves”. It is one of the most versatile oil blends, and you can use it in full range from cleaning products, to body care, dish soap or toothpaste. But one of my favorite ways to use this oil is for immune support. It is a blend of clove, cinnamon, lemon, eucalyptus, and rosemary. It not only supports the immune system, but it also purifies the air, supports healthy sinus function, supports the lungs, and helps alleviate minor aches and pains. Diffusing this in your household is a great way to purify the air of all of the germs that will come with your child from school. You can also mix thieves with a carrier oil and put a small amount onto the back of your child’s neck and behind their ears when they go to school to give their immune systems and extra layer of protection.
3. Get Enough Sleep
School age children should get 10-11 hours of sleep at night. When you don’t get enough sleep, your immune system’s ability to fight off infection has decreased. During sleep your body releases proteins called, cytokines, which help you sleep. Certain cytokines help your body fight infection and germs, and sleep deprivation may decrease the function of these proteins. Antibodies that fight the back to school germs are working while you are sleeping so that when you are awake your body is strong enough to fight the bacteria you come into contact with. So, yes, sleep is directly linked to the function of the immune system. So even if your child is very excited about school starting, do your best to help them sleep. It will be much better for them in the long run.
4. Wash Hands
This is something I say to my kids all of the time, but it is so important. Washing your hands is the most effective way to get rid of back to school germs. It is way more effective and much safer than hand sanitizer. Your children are touching so many things, especially when they are younger. Door handles, light switches, water fountains, etc. I could name a lot of places at school that are full of germs but I don’t want to overwhelm you! People frequently touch their faces without knowing it and germs from unwashed hands can get into your food and drinks and some strands of germs can even multiply. Gross I know! Statistics show that washing your hands reduces the risk of diarrhea by 31%, and it reduces the risk of respiratory illness by 20%.
5. Get Adjusted
If you want a great tool to help fight the “back to school germs” then getting adjusted is your best answer! I cannot say this enough, getting adjusted is such a strong way to boost your immune system and keep your body in functioning at 100%. The goal of chiropractic care is to remove the interference in the nervous system, and when subluxations are corrected the nervous system can function very well and that in turn boost the immune systems. There is growing scientific research that supports this connection between adjustments and immune system function. Don’t wait till you are feeling ill to go, this is more of a lifestyle change. Getting regular routine adjustments will keep you and your family healthy and whole.
TAKE ACTION
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Implement New House Rule: First thing when anyone comes home is they go to the bathroom and wash their hands |
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Add more vitamin C to your families diet |
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Invest in thieves oil and diffuse after school while cooking dinner, and get adjusted regularly |
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