Active Camps 5 Tips To Avoid a Cold This Winter!

We have all been there: snotty noses, coughing, one minute feeling like we are on a tropical island and then the Antarctic, shivers, head feeling like it’s about to explode….

Winter colds can be the bane of any family’s life. When we are dealing with it just ourselves, it’s fine. We dose up on medication, stuff tissue up our noses and get on with the day but when the rest of the family comes down with it, it can be a nightmare!

To help you try and get through the winter germ-free, here are five tips on how to help prevent your family coming down with a cold/flu this winter.

How Much Sleep??

A good night’s sleep can do wonders for our energy and stress levels, plus it can make getting ready for the school run so much easier. Sleep is vital to keep our bodies healthy and to help fight off illnesses.

Did you know: A 8 year old’s need approximately 10 hours 15 minutes, as recommended by the Millpond Children’s Sleep Clinic

Eat your Vegetables!

A healthy diet, with plenty of fruit and vegetables, helps keep our immune systems strong and provide plenty of immune-boosting phytonutrients needed to fight off infections and viruses. Vitamin C and D also help boost your immune system.

Sing Happy Birthday Twice!

Posters are often displayed in bathrooms promoting the importance of handwashing to prevent the spread of germs, this is especially important to put into practice frequently during winter time. Wash off potential cold and flu germs before preparing food and eating, wash after playing, wash after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing and after throwing the tissue away. Also, make sure to cover your mouth when coughing.

Tip: If you’re washing your hands properly, you’ll have time to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ twice while doing it

Go on a Treasure Hunt!

Exercise is good for us in many ways, it releases happy hormones, keeps us fit and boosts the immune system. Playing outside in the fresh winter air does not cause colds. You can only catch a cold from germs.

Be Like a British Olympian!

Encourage yourself and your family not to touch their faces (eyes, nose and mouth) as germs can easily be transferred from your hands that way. So, stop touching your face as much as you reasonably can.

Did you know: In 2012, the British Olympic Association told Team GB athletes not to shake hands in case they caught a bug that might ruin their chances of a medal.