What a time we’re living in, right? We’re all in the same boat and while that sometimes feels comforting, it’s not the greatest boat! With media instilling so much fear in the people of this country, mandated masks being enforced and contradictory information feeling unsettled can be an understatement. I’m sure many of you moms are apprehensive about sending your kiddos back to school. I know I feel very torn. It seems to me that the large majority of people that contract Covid get through it easily some with way less symptoms than even the flu. But then there are the handful of people that have died and then the other handful of people that were hospitalized and are continuing to fight for regaining their health 3 months later. What determines which group you’ll be? No one seems to know. Many of us have compromised loved ones as well that would very likely fall prey to this virus as well. There’s no doubt about it, we’re in tough times. The only control we can grasp at is our own health and the health of our family. Instead of giving into worrying, I have been putting my energy into doing what I know to do to build our immunity. I’m doing a few things now to prepare all of us for the new school year and I thought I would share. As mother’s we need to feel like we are being proactive in the face of danger. So that being said, I wanted to share with you how I’m preparing now for the school season.
Get Vitamin D from the Sun-
Get those kids outside! Whether it’s in a pool or even reading on the porch-they need to expose as much skin as they can for 20 minutes daily-and that’s minus the SPF. Vitamin D can not penetrate through SPF so if you’ve got a fair skinned child, you might gradually work their way up to 20 minutes. SPF defeats the purpose of being outside for the vitamin D. However, it does not defeat the purpose of getting fresh air…
Get Plenty of Fresh Air-
Fresh air is vital since we are expected to wear masks in public. I researched quite a bit on masks and am still on the fence but what I do know and will not be told otherwise, masks restrict air flow and breathing in your own CO2 for more then a short period of time is detrimental to your health. If your child must wear a mask to school, it is imperative that they get as many deep breaths of fresh air once they’re home.
Load up on Sleep-
My youngest gets extremely over tired the first few months of school. I pay special attention to depositing as many extra hours into her sleep bank as I can. Getting adequate sleep can really help a body fight when exposed to an illness. If you need to take away electronics at a certain time I urge you to do it. I got my girls sound machines in an attempt to keep them in bed later in the morning and we keep the same bedtime throughout the year.
Crack Down on Sugar-
Sugar is a constant battle. In order to help my girls eat more healthy, I explain to them why we are limiting sugar and eating as many veggies and fruits as we can. I explain that sometimes we get sugar and when we do we eat it slowly and savor it. We enjoy the heck out of sugary treats and that’s ok but we can’t have too many in a week. They understand the reason why I say no all the time and it makes it less of a battle when they’re asking for desert. They know it’s fruit 6 days out of 7. One way to cut out sugar is to make a rule that we will not drink our sugar. We don’t do juices except for the daily juice I make them which is high on veggies and low on sugary fruits. They get to split a pop every Friday for dinner but that’s it. Just like me, they get a splurge time during the week. It gives us something to look forward to and it takes the edge off of the other nights.
Probiotics-
I’m still shouting Flourish Probiotic from the roof tops. Go HERE for the full post and you’ll understand. Flourish is actually a liquid probiotic that you drink making it so much more effective. I’ve seen great progress with my gut issues using this brand. I am an affiliate of the brand just so you know but have been on it for over a year-I don’t miss a day and my girls don’t either. They have a kids probiotic that tastes a bit sweeter but it is the same potency as the adult version. If you would like to try it, grab the kid version for your whole family. Find Flourish Junior HERE. That way your kids can get the benefit. They might not be able to do the adult version due to the taste. It’s not great. I don’t mind it but my husband and girls find the daily tablespoon a bit tough to swallow.
Supplements-
I’m on to a few new supplements that I have just started giving the girls. I can’t speak much on the brand or their effectiveness but I did my research and feel good about what I chose. They are taking zinc, Vitamin D3 with B12 and Liposomal Vitamin C. These 3 supplements are vital for us all to take especially during flu season or covid season-ugh. I take THIS zinc, THIS D3 + K2 and occasionally take THIS vitamin C.
Reduce Stress-
This is a silly one because no one welcomes stress and if we could control our stress levels we would but if there is anything you can omit, limit or add to your child’s life that will ease any frustration or worry for them, do it. It’s vital. You can be the healthiest person alive but still fall prey to illness if you are under stress. I believe this 1oo percent.
I hope this post has been helpful. I’m talking to my girls about how important it is to keep their hands away from their face and to wash their hands as often as possible. I’m sick for the school kids that are required to wear masks and hand sanitizer on a constant basis is also troubling. The reality is, none of us have any control over this. While the media and politicians seems to be calling the shots the true reality is that God is in control and He is allowing all of this for a greater purpose. We must let go of our worry and focus on what’s good while building our faith in Him.
xx, Jenni
DISCLAIMER: I am not a doctor nor do I claim to be qualified to do anything but share with you what I am personally doing for my family. I am a mom who researches, looks past what is being said on the media and am proactively taking charge of my health and the health of my children rather than leave wellness in the hands of someone who’s livelihood depends on me being unhealthy. My constant aim with this blog is to encourage you to take charge of your own health by living a healthy lifestyle.
While it’s true that God “is allowing all of this,” it’s definitely NOT true that “none of us have any control over this.” We have as much control as we’re willing to invest our time, energy, & resources to fix the wrong & support the right in our culture & government. Involvement & effort are key. Ask any activist who is or has been on the front lines fighting the good fight. There just aren’t enough of us. 10% of the population is doing 100% of the work. If health, family, religion, freedom, education, security, or anything else matters to you, there’s a remnant of people tirelessly working for everyone else. You’re welcome.
M G-I’m not sure what you’re getting at exactly. I’m curious what is “the good fight”? Despite the tone of your comment seeming quite frustrated with my words, I would like to understand where you are coming from. What I meant about “none of us having any control over this” is that we can isolate all we want, wear masks, wash our hands, do everything as we’re told and still fall prey to this virus.
Jenni, I do understand what you are saying in your last paragraph, and I agree with you. There really is only so much we can do. People are so freaked out by what is being put out there via media. I personally have chosen not to get all freaked out, but just do what is required, respect others who are freaked out, and keep up with a good public and home cleansing regimen. (Hey, why not use the Thieves Oil recipe you posted? If it worked for the plague, maybe for covid and flus, etc. too, who knows!) Worrying so much about it just will not help anything at all, and will keep you under needless stress. Like most things in life, this covid thing really is out of our control, and best use common sense and do what is required. Flus coming every winter are also out of our control, always have been, as is the case with the possibility of auto accidents or bears breaking into cars or food on a camping trip. Learning from it is important, and using common sense goes a long way.
Elizabeth-It is SO NICE to have a kind comment. Thank you. I’ve been getting so many negative comments or emails I’m starting to feel attacked and discouraged. I meant to mention the Thieves oil and that you can get car diffusers which I plan to get to hopefully kill anything my kiddos bring in to the car-thanks for reminding me! I’m honestly not a worrier and prefer to focus on my role in trying times and when it’s time to build my faith and let give it to God. It’s very sad how many people are struggling with fear. I like how you said that you respect the ones that are freaked out. Thank you again for this nice comment. I really do need it!
Elizabeth, same here! I am stocking up on all things Thieves!! We already use the hand soap and detergent, but I never ever want to run out. 🙂 We don’t watch any sort of news in our house and I try and talk to my kids about it – yes, the virus is real but no, it’s just not something that warrants us freaking out about. And we certainly aren’t going to hide away and live in fear. We can control what we can control and that’s about it: good hygiene, outside play time, getting good sleep, etc. I’m still so up in the air about whether or not to send them to school, not because I’m fearful of them getting the virus, but I’m not having them wear masks all day. It’s just unhealthy.
Two responses to comments above:
Jenni, a car diffuser with Thieves Oil sounds like a great idea. Even for flu season, and anyone, kids or no kids, right? We are all going out to places and subjecting ourselves to whatever bacteria/virus happens to be lurking in public places year round. Best of all, trust in the Lord with *all* your heart!!
Jennifer W: I am like you, I don’t watch TV, but somehow you just cannot avoid all the “Read Here for the latest news on Covid!!” online, on many sites, aaakkk, please, people, leave me alone, right? It is what sells on TV and online, so the hidden agenda really, on TV and online is that anything that scares people to death or stirs up all sorts of fear makes lots of money. What caused the run on toilet paper, well, that was the good ol’ media stirring up fear and getting people to watch, but what TP had to do with covid, I’ll never know… Another money-making opportunity: A Make-Your-Own-Toilet-Paper Machine … will someone please invent it? 🙂
I know one mom, with 3 kids, is having them do online this fall. She isn’t excited about home-schooling, but it may be the safest option, if it is feasible for moms to do that.
Agree!
I enjoyed this post sooo much! Thank you for researching and posting ways to boost immunity in kids and adults. It has been so common to post doom and gloom. Thank you!!
Let me clarify- it’s common for people to post/talk about gloom and doom and take the focus off Jesus.
Denise-I’m so glad you found it helpful!! The doom and gloom is so common and hard to avoid! Thank you for reading!
Thank you for the wonderful and positive article. I so appreciate the time you take to research healthy approaches to building and protecting our immune system. And I love being reminded that our minds, attitudes, and outlook are part of that. Keeping our stress down and not bowing to fear are wonderful additions to the proactive physical steps you share. I am constantly motivated and encouraged by you!
Kristin-I just saw this comment-sorry to not respond in a timely manner! You are so welcome and I’m so glad to motivate and encourage! That means the world to me! Hope you are well and thank you again for commenting and reading!