With thousands of Central Florida students back in school and flu season approaching, it’s important to take action now to boost your child’s immune system.

Your immune system is the body’s first line of defense against infection and disease. It’s responsible for protecting the body from harmful substances, germs, and cell changes that could make you sick. With kids back in class and germs spreading, now is the time to make sure your child’s immune system is in tip-top shape.

Many lifestyle factors, such as poor sleep habits and lack of nutrition, all lead to a compromised immune system. While there isn’t a single solution to boost your immune system, there are numerous healthy choices you can make to make it healthy and strong. Here are four ways to boost your child’s immune system.

Proper Hygiene

The entire world got a handwashing-101 crash course thanks to COVID-19, and hopefully, everyone is still practicing proper handwashing techniques. Make sure to teach young children how to wash their hands and remind them to wash their hands often. Clean hands can help stop germs from spreading from one person to another and in our communities – including in the home, workplace, schools, and childcare facilities.

The CDC recommends lathering your hands with soap under cool or warm water and then gently scrubbing (don’t forget those in-betweens and fingernails!) for 20 seconds, or about the time it takes to sing Happy Birthday twice. Rinse and dry your hands well.

Get Enough Sleep

Sleep has powerful effects on your immune system. Studies show that people who don’t get enough sleep are more likely to get sick. Lack of sleep also affects how fast you recover if you do get sick. So how much sleep do you need to bolster your immune system?

The National Sleep Foundation recommends that children have a regular bedtime, especially during the school year. While some people can function well on the lower end of the range, others will need every minute of the upper limit.

• Children ages 3-5 should get 10 to 13 hours of sleep each night.
• Children ages 6-13 should strive for nine to 11 hours of sleep each night.
• Children ages 14-17 need eight to 10 hours of sleep each night.

Exercise Regularly

Not to sound like a broken record, but … exercise is hugely important for umpteen reasons including supporting a healthy immune system. Getting enough physical activity helps tune up your immune system, so your body is better prepared to deal with an infection or sickness, making it able to respond faster and more effectively.

Regular exercise doesn’t have to be stressful, hard, or take up too much time. Most children need 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity daily. Bonus if they can exercise and maintain a healthy weight!

Get More From Supplements

Taking a daily multivitamin or supplement could do the trick if you suspect your child’s diet isn’t providing them with all the nutrients they need for proper immune system support. One we love is SP Children’s Immune — a supplement for kids ages four and older that delivers key nutrients for proper immune system functioning and development.

Children should also eliminate sugar intake. Sugar decreases the immune system by 50% for hours after ingestion and also leads to an increase in glucose in the bloodstream which causes blood sugar levels to become unstable. SP Children’s Immune chewable wafers offer an excellent source of Vitamin C, Vitamin D, and Zinc. They also contain prebiotics and colostrum. Ask us about SP Children’s Immune, sold in our office!

*The information provided here is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. You should always consult with your doctor before making any dietary changes.