With winter comes late, but beautiful sunrises and glorious sunsets, not forgetting gorgeous walks through the frozen countryside and the twinkling lights of the festive season. But when you’re a parent, winter also means snotty noses, chapped lips, coughs, colds, the flu and of course, those dreaded sickness bugs that spread like wildfire.
Getting sick of the winter season is often inevitable, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take steps to look after yourself, even if you are a busy parent. So, don’t just battle through it – here are some help tips and advice you can take to help you look after yourself this winter.
Looking good makes you feel good
Yep. When it comes to winter, with harsh winds, driving rain and bitter snow, many of us don’t bother with makeup or even moisturiser. But if you don’t take the time to look after yourself, then you’re going to run yourself down and be more susceptible to illness. So, take the time to moisturise your skin, and don’t cancel that microblading appointment – what is microblading, you ask? Click the link to find out more – make sure you take those extra vitamins and put your feet up once in a while. Your body and mind will thank you.
Kill the germs at the source
If you’re really worried about flu and sickness bugs this winter then it’s important to try and kill them off at the source, and that means regular handwashing. Make sure everyone in the house is following a strict handwashing routine, which means washing after the using the bathroom and before eating, and especially if they sneeze or use a tissue. It’s also a good idea to get the kids to wash their hands when they come home from school. Remember to regularly wipe down door handles, light switches and even the TV remote to keep the germs at bay!
Go outside
It might seem like you’re exposing yourself to more germs but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Getting outside will certainly give your immune system a boost and it’s certainly better than sitting inside the stuffy house. Even if you just bundle up for a short walk around the block, your vitamin D levels will certainly enjoy a boost from the sunlight and your mood will certainly rise. Giving your mental health a much needed boost too.
Keep hydrated
We tend to drink more in the summer time because, quite simply – we’re thirstier! In the cold weather, a cold glass of water might not have the same appeal as it does on a scorching day but staying hydrated will certainly keep those nasties at bay. If you don’t fancy water then try some simple fruit juice or fruit infused water. An hydration supplement can also be hugely helpful as they maximise the amount of hydration you receive from the water you’re drinking. Treat yourself to a new water bottle so you’re reminded to drink the recommended amount of water per day. Drinking plenty will keep UTI’s at bay, as well as helping your joints to stay flexible and supple – it helps with brain function too!
This time of year seems to be the prime time for illness. The weather is still cold and most of us would rather stay indoors and wrapped up even when we’re well, let alone when we’re poorly, but for most of us, that level of hibernation just isn’t an option! Being the only driver in the house and living as far from Sausage’s school as we do, I’m all too aware of the “make do and mend” approach that most of us mums have to take when we’re struck down, so I thought I’d put together a list of things that you should be doing when illness strikes.
Yesterday, I was talking to a friend about Burrito Baby, explaining how my tactile almost-three-year-old doesn’t LOOK with her eyes, she looks with her hands. When BB says “Mummy, can I look at that please?” she doesn’t mean can she cast an eye over it, she means “can I touch it?” – I’m fairly certain that’s normal for a kid of her age but it does make me chuckle that she’s such a feeler and it also made this video by 