Do you find your kid frequently falling ill or staying slothful most of the times? Do they experience health problems, despite being given adequate healthy food and regular vaccines? That could be a signal of your child’s immune system not being developed or getting hampered! Low immunity levels in children is indeed a common problem to be dealt with, and it is hence necessary to take steps to strengthen their immunity so that they grow up into healthy adults.
One thing that parents need to understand is that it takes more than just healthy food to develop a fully functioning immune system. Poor nutrition, sedentary lifestyle, stress, pollution, and several other underlying factors can wreak havoc to a child’s immunity and hamper the development of the immune system. Bringing little changes to the child’s lifestyle can certainly improve their immunity levels. Unlike the contrary belief of keeping children indoors safe can prevent them from diseases, the fact is that exposure to the natural environment actually helps to build up their immunity. The more children play outdoors and get exposed to the environment around them, the better will be their immunity levels. However, there are certain common habits that can weaken a child’s development of immunity, and as parents, it is important not to overlook anything that could hurt your child’s health.
Lack of Physical Activity:
Don’t let your child be a couch potato. See to it that he/she doesn’t just stay whiling away time watching TV or playing games on the mobile. It’s time you change their routine habits and encourage them to get some physical activity outdoors. A sedentary lifestyle and lack of outdoor play can weaken the immunity system of children. This is because inactivity in the body can stagnate the development of disease-fighting cells. Moreover, children need to get enough dose of vitamin D obtained from outdoor activity in the sun to help enhance their immunity levels.
Irregular Sleep Pattern:
Not getting enough sleep can seriously affect a child’s immunity. A child requires at least 10 to 14 hours of sleep every day. So, it is important that parents prevent children from developing habits that hinder their sleeping patterns such as the use of gadgets, watching TV shows or playing games till late night. All such things tend to reduce the child’s chances of falling asleep on time. Lack of sleep can generate physical stress preventing oxygen from circulating freely into the brain, which in effect can lower the child’s immune system, making him/her more vulnerable to germs. As parents, it is necessary to develop in children healthier sleeping habits by limiting their use of gadgets at night and ensuring the bedroom is dark, quiet, and conducive to sleeping.
Unhygienic Habits:
It is important to develop in kids the right kind of hygiene so that they learn good habits at an early age. Washing hands before eating, brushing teeth properly, and maintaining trimmed, clean nails are all part of good hygiene that helps develop the immune system and allows them to grow up with a strengthened immunity.
Food and Water:
When your child eats an unhealthy diet and does not keep himself hydrated enough, it can negatively affect the development of the immune system. Make sure you give them a healthy and nutritious diet, containing fresh and wholesome food. Also, limit the consumption of foods high in additives, artificial preservatives, and sugar as it can adversely affect the health, leading to the weakened immunity system.
So now, the onus is on us, the parents and educators, to make the kids understand and instilling them good habits and a healthy lifestyle to help them grow up into strong individuals. A school, being a place where children spend a substantial percentage of their time, plays a crucial role in the holistic development of children. At Banyan Tree School, ranked among the top-rated CBSE schools in Chandigarh, we understand this responsibility of ours, and hence, along with parents, we strive to impact the habits and behaviors of the children towards a healthy and active lifestyle so that they develop into strong and healthy adults. We always strive to build good and hygienic habits in children to ensure that their physical development syncs well with their academic and intellectual development. We regularly organize health exhibitions and other activities to help children learn the importance of proper nutrition and physical health, bringing positive modification in their behavior, habits, and values as they ascent the academic ladder in pursuit of excellence. We, at Banyan Tree School, remain actively involved in encouraging and supporting our pupils for embracing healthy habits that promote their overall development in the truest sense of the term, i.e., physically, mentally, academically, and intellectually.
