How To Boost Your Childs Immune System
Summer is coming to an end and school is starting back. That means it’s time to boost your child’s immune system to help them as they congregate with all their friends ( and their friends’ germs). They are excited and we want to be excited too, so let’s ditch the worry about the germs and get ready for a great year!
These options would be great for kindergartners all the way to seniors. Honestly, all adults could benefit from very similar options as well.
I’ve broken these down into two categories:
- Things you can do for them
- Things you can give them
What can I do for my child to boost their immune system?
Ensure they get a good night’s rest
I know this one might make you roll your eyes a little, but rest truly is so important for our kids (and us). A medical study was done that actually showed that participants with shorter sleep duration were more susceptible to the common cold. (1)
So how can you get your kids quality sleep? Try implementing these things:
- Start a bedtime routine – even older children will benefit from a normal routine. I know it can be hard to do with extracurricular activities, but things as simple as dimming the lights after dinner and turning off screens 30 minutes prior to bed can be part of your routine.
- Diffuse calming oils before and during bedtime– I personally love Seedlings Calm and diffuse it the most in my kiddos room. Other great options are Lavender, Sleepyize, and Peace & Calming.
- Sound machine– this can help keep kids from waking from other sounds such as other siblings or parents up trying to get in an episode of Netflix before bed.
- Blackout curtains– help them sleep a little longer by keeping their room dark. No one wants to get up at 5:00 am anyways right?
Roll Thieves on them before school
Thieves oil is a powerful blend of plant oils that are great for fighting germs. The blend contains:
- Clove
- Lemon
- Cinnamon bar
- Eucalyptus
- Rosemary
One medical study showed that “Our results show that clove and cinnamon oils possess strong antimicrobial properties.” [4].
It absolutely does need to be diluted before applying to the skin so keep that in mind!
That’s why I really love to buy the Thieves Roll-on because it’s already prediluted for me and labeled and all that good stuff.
I simply run it down their spine and the bottom of their feet before they put their shoes on.
Serve organic fruits and vegetables
It’s amazing what just small changes in our diet can do for our health. A lot of times we are eating packaged or processed food. I mean it’s just the world we live in we need quick on-the-go food and something we can whip up for dinner in 20 minutes before the kids ask for another snack. Trust me I get it and we aren’t over here eating spinach every night for dinner.
BUT the more organic fruits and vegetables we can incorporate to our diet, the better. These items provide us with the nutrients our bodies need to fight off free radicals and other yucky stuff. Clean whole foods help balance the bacteria in our gut which plays a BIG part in our immunity. I like to order a Misfits box where organic fruits and veggies are shipped to my door for a cheaper price…simply because they might be shaped funny.
Start small by adding a vegetable to every meal. If your kids are anything like mine then they will eat all the fruit, but run hiding if they see something green. So a few other tricks you can try to incorporate vegetables (or the same benefits) into their diet is:
- Super Greens – you can mix into sauces or smoothies)
- Smoothies – they can’t taste the spinach from the fruit so add some in and don’t tell them and definitely don’t let them see)
- Plant based noodles- my kids will eat noodles all day every day so I buy the veggie versions and don’t tell them any different
- Supplements- specifics covered in the next section
What can I give my child to boost their immune system?
Elderberry Gummies
Put anything in a gummy form and kids will eat it right? This is another easy one to add into their routine to boost your child’s immune system. A medical study showed that :
“These findings present an alternative to antibiotic misuse for upper respiratory symptoms due to viral infections, and a potentially safer alternative to prescription drugs for routine cases of the common cold and influenza.” [3]
I give my kiddos a gummy most days to prevent catching colds and bugs and then continue to give them if they end up with a runny nose.
Probiotics
As I mentioned earlier, gut health is directly related to your immunity ( and brain health for that matter). It plays SUCH an important role in our overall wellness. So the easiest thing to do to boost your child’s immune system is to give them a quality probiotic they will love.
I personally chose Kidscent MightyPro. They are a little powder packet you kiddo can take like a pixie stick or you can sprinkle it over fruit or other foods. My two little ones love it poured on a plate with a cut up apple they can dip it into.
Ningxia
Ningxia (pronounced ning-sha) is a powerhouse of a drink! It’s packed with antioxidants from wolfberries and essential oils. Young Living describes it as “NingXia Red® is a delicious drink packed with powerful antioxidants to help against oxidative stress, support normal cellular function, and promote healthy energy levels for the perfect way to start your day.”
I always tell people to research the benefits of wolfberry, because you’ll be surprised at all the benefits.
I give my kids a little 2 oz packet ( kind of like a small juice box) a day and they love it. Usually, beg for more honestly. It’s such an easy way to boost my entire family’s health. Not to mention it tastes really good. I personally love it over sparkling water.
Hand Sanitizer
Do all kids love hand sanitizer or are we just weirdos? My son actually loves it just because he hates washing his hands ( facepalm).
But obviously, hand sanitizer is a great way to boost your child’s immune system because they can keep their hands clean and stop the spread of germs so easily.
These little 1 oz bottles are perfect to throw in purses and bookbags. The peppermint leaves your hands smelling so nice and clean as opposed to just rubbing alcohol.
What natural remedies boost your immune system?
The good news- all the above options are natural!
And for adults also working to control your stress levels will greatly help boost your immunity. So make sure to incorporate all the above items for yourself and a good amount of self-care! You can also check out this blog on 6 Natural Ways to Combat Stress.
If you are ready to grab the items listed in this blog to boost your child’s immune system, then click the picture below to grab the bundle!
These options are all great ways to support your body and start to lessen your toxic load. If supporting your wellness in this way is something you are interested in, grab my free guide for 5 tips to lessen your toxic load below!
References:
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26118561/
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/how-to-boost-immune-health#9.-Supplement-wisely
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30670267/
- https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/26/10/2931/htm
