The immune system plays a vital role in determining an individual’s overall health. As we grow from children to adults, our immunity system develops and if taken care of, can fight various diseases. For instance, the recent pandemic of COVID-19 left the world in shambles as it claimed many lives and left the living with a broken world to repair. Did you know that most people afflicted by this deadly virus who survived to tell the tale were those with strong immune systems? This is just one of the many instances that one could conceive of. The same goes for the case of children. Since kids need to develop and build a strong immune system, parents and caregivers need to recognise the importance of enhancing immunity in children. As a parent and caregiver, you must be wondering how to immunity in children naturally. Before we have a look at the foods to increase immunity in children naturally, let’s take a glimpse at the importance of boosting immunity in children.
Importance Of Enhancing Immunity In Kids
- Fights infections
- Reduces the risk of chronic diseases
- Quick recovery time
- Better response to vaccinations
The first line of defence to fight against any infections is the immune system of your body. Since children love to play and run around the playground, they are bound to be exposed to numerous bacteria and viruses, which is why they need to have a strong immune system that can fight infections naturally.
Most chronic diseases that crop up later in life are owing to a kid’s weak immune system. Children with weak immune systems are more prone to allergies, asthma, and autoimmune disorders. By simply boosting their immune system from a younger age, parents can avoid such health conditions that can come up later in the future.
While it is possible to take precautionary measures, it is simply impossible to avoid getting sick altogether. However, recovery time also plays a vital role in determining an individual’s quality of life. Those with weak immunity systems have a much harder time recovering from illnesses as opposed to those with stronger immunity systems.
There are numerous vaccines which children must take to prevent diseases and illnesses. However, the effectiveness of any vaccine is highly dependent on one’s immune system. This is precisely why vaccines respond differently to different individuals or kids.
Natural Solutions for Enhancing Your Child’s Immune System at Home
Now that you have a good idea about immunity and why we should enhance immunity in kids, it’s time to get to the home remedies to increase immunity in children.
- Nutrient-rich diet
- Proper sleep
- Physical exercise
- Managing stress
- Herbal remedies
- Hygiene
- Probiotics
The best way to boost your child’s immunity naturally is through a diet that is infused with nutrients. Some of the most important nutrients for kids include Vitamin C, Vitamin D and zinc. Vitamin C has properties that enhance the immune system and is most commonly found in citrus fruits and strawberries. Vitamin D can be obtained by not only consuming milk, curd or fish but also through exposure to sunlight. Zinc is mainly contained in seeds, nuts and legumes; all of which are healthy for your kids to consume.
Sleep is the time when the body gets to heal and repair itself. It’s also the time when the mind gets to rest. A good diet reinforced by good sleeping habits can naturally boost your child’s immunity. It is important to have a routine bedtime schedule which encourages your kids to sleep at the same time every day.
There are many benefits to physical exercise and one of the primary benefits is that it keeps your body fit and in turn, helps strengthen your immune system. Furthermore, regular exercise stimulates circulation, burns excess fat and even reduces stress levels. You should foster an environment of indoor as well as outdoor play for your little ones. Physical activities like running track, swimming, football and other such sports should be encouraged.
In today’s world, even children find it hard to cope with stress. Whether that be at home, in friendships or even in their academics, the very thought of failure stresses them out. Mental weakness leads to physical weakness and lethargy. All these factors work together to weaken the immune system and leave your little ones vulnerable to deadly diseases and infections. Helping your kids become more emotionally aware and teaching them breathing exercises and meditation are easy in which you can boost your child’s immunity naturally and at home.
In recent years, the markets have stormed with various herbal products which claim to boost immunity. While they are good to consume, you should first consult with your doctor or a medical professional before giving any kind of herbal concoction to your children. Most of these products are made from completely natural products and are to be consumed on an empty stomach, first thing in the morning.
This is one of the simplest and most overlooked of all practices when it comes to how to boost a child’s immune system. Simple practices like regular washing of hands, covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing or even avoiding contact with those who are sick, can help keep you healthy. Inculcating good hygienic habits reduces the possibility of infections.
Gut health plays a vital role in determining the effectiveness of an immune system. This means it is crucial to maintain a healthy balance of gut bacteria. Probiotics are available as over-the-counter medicines or even in certain products like specific milk, and yoghurts.
Here at EuroKids, we aim to focus on providing you as parents with relevant and up-to-date information on child healthcare and education through our blog. The immune system of your child is highly dependent on the kind of lifestyle that you live and the food that you consume. As parents and caregivers, we must nurture a healthy lifestyle by teaching our kids good habits and healthy living. This is precisely what we do at EuroKids. We nurture your little ones and help them grow in mind, body and soul. Our carefully crafted activities are not only engaging but also enriched with different strategies to develop the cognitive abilities and motor skills of your little bundles of joy. If you want to learn more about what we do at EuroKids, be sure to check out our blog or head down to our nearest centre.
