Keeping Yourself Healthy Through the Winter

Unfortunately winter illnesses has kept our family down since Christmas which is why I chose to write about how to keep ourselves healthier during the winter months. Not long ago, my family and I traveled to California to embark on a family reunion cruise. While the trip was absolutely wonderful, we had to fly home which exposed us to a higher level of germs in our environment. Our daughter somehow picked up a fun little friend to bring home with her and by Christmas, she was ill with a very nasty stomach virus. It quickly spread to our young son, my husband, and myself within a matter of days. If you have ever had the experience of having sick children when you yourself are sick and helpless, then you know that it is not fun at all. Recovering from this violent illness was a long trek and now two weeks after being struck down I finally feel normal.

Winter brings many illness such as the flu, stomach viruses, and common colds that can become something worse if not monitored. Stopping the spread of germs is a major way to stop these illnesses from spreading to or from you and your family.

What to do:

Wash hands regularly, use antibacterial hand gel or wipes often when in public or at home. I suggest you keep a small bottle or travel wipes on hand in your purse or car to use whenever you go into public places.

If you are ill, try to limit going out in public and wash your hands regularly. Spray light switches and door knobs with antibacterial spray regularly as this will help keep the level of germs in your house lower than they would be.

Keep in mind that you do not want a truly sterile house. Germs and minor colds do help you and your children to build antibodies to help fight infections that reoccur.

Teach your children healthy habits as well as coughing or sneezing into their elbows rather than their hands if a tissue or handkerchief is not available. Schools are a breeding ground for germs so providing the necessary tools for them to use is also essential.

Be proactive rather than reactive!