Home & Lifestyle

5 tips to keep your family healthy at home

1 - Hotspots in your house
There are the normal chores we all get through each week, cleaning the floors, the bathroom and the kitchen, but what about the other hotspots that you touch frequently and may not think are a breeding ground for germs?
Some bacteria can survive on hard surfaces for 24 hours – these can include light switches, door handles, taps, mobile phones, tablets, remote controls and favourite toys. Make a conscious effort to disinfect these high traffic items and plan a time to do a deep clean of your kid’s toy box.
Make sure you follow the directions of whichever disinfectant product you use.

2 - Wash your hands
Hand hygiene has been talked about endlessly – but for good reason, it is the number one line of defence between your family and germs.
Teach your kids to wash their hands for 20 seconds – the water doesn’t need to be hot but ensure they use soap. You can engage them with a soap that foams up and encourage them to sing a song that equates to 20 seconds such as ‘Happy Birthday’ or ‘Row, Row, Row Your Boat’ twice through. This goes for any adults in the house too!

3 – Move for 20 minutes a day!
Keeping your body moving is key to leading a healthy life and 20 minutes a day is something we can all achieve. The best part is you can do it together as a family. Find something all the family love, whether it’s a back-yard game, a dance party in the lounge or walking the family dog. There are lots of options, even let the kids be in charge of the family exercise that day – we are sure they will surprise you!

4 – Eat healthy
Eating a balanced healthy diet can help strengthen your family’s immunity. Eat a range of protein sources, lots of fruit and vegetables and decrease the amount of foods that are processed (i.e. come in a packet!). Eating seasonally is a great way to get a mix of nutrients throughout the seasons. For seasonal recipe ideas check out your local supermarket for some inspiration, then make a weekly meal plan, write a shopping list and stick to it! Engage the kids by letting them choose and cook one meal a week.

5 – Wash clothes and linen frequently!
Whilst it may be tempting to put on the same comfortable loungewear you have become accustomed to, make sure you are wearing fresh clothes daily and washing them frequently. This is especially true for anything you wear out of home and ensure to take off shoes near the front door.
Bedsheets should be washed once a week in winter to keep skin clear of any infections and assist with a good night’s sleep.