Top 5 tips for boosting your childs immune system
Everyone knows that as soon as your child goes to school, they seem to come into contact with every single bug there is. One of the most mportant ways to ward off those cold and flu symptoms is to make sure your child’s immune system is working efficiently.
 
While you can’t shield your child from every single bug around, there are some top tips you can follow to help them fight off as many as possible.
 
1. Make your child’s diet a bug fighting diet
It all starts with a healthy diet. Make sure your child is getting a varied diet with plenty of fresh, whole foods including fresh fruit and vegetables, nuts, seeds, good fats and lean proteins. Many nutrients help our children’s health but we know that Vitamin D and Vitamin C are especially important for supporting the immune system. Try to include immune boosting foods which contain these nutrients such as eggs, oily fish, dark green leafy vegetables and berries – delicious and healthy. Also make sure your child is getting outside enough. This is to give them a chance to catch some of the sun’s rays which help manufacture Vitamin D.
 
Sugar has been known to cause a problem with our immune system1. To help keep your child’s immune system up and running, try to limit their intake of sugar and sugar containing foods such as ready meals and confectionary. If you are worried that your child might not be getting all their nutrients from their diet, you can offer them a tasty Vitamin C for kids supplement or a children’s immune support supplement.
2. Is your child getting enough sleep?
Depending on their age, children need between 10 – 14 hours sleep. Many children aren’t getting enough. Lack of sleep can lower a child’s immune system leaving them more open to being affected by germs and bacteria2. When children are overtired and overstimulated, they find it difficult to get to sleep. Try to give them at least an hour before bedtime with no screentime. This can be a quiet time for reading which will help get them in the mood for sleep.
 
3. Is your child stressed?
We tend to think that stress is only something that adults suffer from. We now know that children can often be stressed too. Children’s bodies have the same response to stress that adults bodies do – this means that elevated stress hormones can lower the immune response3. Yoga and meditation could be something to consider if you think your child is stressed.
4. Is your child getting enough exercise?
Exercise is helpful for a good immune system4. Regular and moderate exercise is to be encouraged not only for the immune system but for overall good health as well. Aim for 30 minutes of exercise every day and make it fun for your child. Skipping, playing football, running around, playing tag and cycling are all beneficial types of exercise that can be fun for the child.
 
5. Is your child having fun?
Make sure your child (and you) laugh every day. It’s thought that laughter may actually increase certain cells which help our immune system5. Laughter also reduces stress and increases feel-good hormones called endorphins. Have fun!
 
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Haliborange recognises that for parents today it can be a challenge getting children to eat a healthy and balanced diet, which is why the range features a whole of host of different combinations of essential vitamins and minerals to help support a child’s growth and development at every stage – from age one month to their teenage years.

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