Thank you to Walgreens for sponsoring this post. All opinions are my own.
It’s finally getting cold here, which means time for cider! And fall color drives! And sick kids (and adults)!
Seriously, over the last week at school, a kid has gone down once a day. Sometimes they head home quietly, not feeling very well. Sometimes they have a more spectacular exit – if you know what I’m saying.
While we can’t eliminate sickness, here are a few tips to help keep the kids and adults in your life healthy (because we all know that what the kids get, they’re going to share with everyone)!
1.) Get a flu shot.
This is, I think, the most important thing you can do. Every year, I take the kids, and they get their shot, and then I get mine. They love that part, and I want them to know that it’s just as important for me as it is for them. It’s not too late to get one now – in fact, flu season is just getting started and you need to be protected. With the holidays coming up, we’re in a lot of places with other people – crowded malls, airplanes and fun holiday events where we all share our germs. We’ve also got kids’ recitals and holiday parties, and all kinds of things going on over the next few months. None of us can afford to be sick!
The Walgreens Get a Shot. Give a Shot.® program is dear to my heart, because not only are you keeping your family healthy and safe, you’re helping provide a lifesaving vaccine to a child in a developing country.*
2.) Clean your door handles
I always forget this one, but door handles are some of the most germ-ridden places, and while I clean our mirrors and sinks and toilets, I don’t always remember to get the door handles. Disinfect the door handles!
3.) Wash your hands longer
Sing the “Happy Birthday Song” twice or the “Alphabet Song” all the way through. However you want to time it, wash hands (and have kids wash theirs!) often, for at least 20 seconds each time. This is way, way longer than feels natural to me, so I have to really pay attention.
4.) Get plenty of sleep
Studies show most of us (kids and parents) don’t get enough sleep. These guidelines show how much sleep we need at every age, from newborn to adult. We try to follow that at our house, but here’s the important thing – don’t beat yourself up. There are nights the kids get to bed a little late and it used to really stress me out. Now, I shoot for the recommended amount of sleep on most nights and try not to sweat the occasional late night.
5.) Eat well
Where we live, fresh fruits and veggies are expensive and not as good in the winter. Thankfully, frozen and canned vegetables can be healthier than fresh vegetables because they’re picked and preserved at the peak of their ripeness. We do lots of smoothies (because I can hide vegetables in them without the kids realizing), or I toss some spinach or other greens in our scrambled eggs. I have to be especially mindful of eating healthy during the holidays when we’re rushing here and there and filling up with cookies and fudge and things like that.
How about you? Do you have any special tips for keeping your family healthy over the holidays and the winter season? I’d love to hear about them in the comments or on our Facebook page!
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* From July 1, 2015 to August 31, 2016, for every immunization administered, Walgreens will donate $0.18 to the United Nations Foundation, up to a maximum donation of $2,000,000. For more information, go to Walgreens.com/GetaShot.
Vaccines subject to availability. State, age and health-related restrictions may apply.
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