As you might have seen from my post yesterday, our Christmas was a little blighted by the winter bugs and viruses which are doing the rounds. There’s nothing worse than being poorly over the Christmas period, you spend weeks (or months) preparing for the big day, you spend hours wrapping presents, writing cards and planning the Christmas menu only to get struck down with a cold at the last minute making you feel miserable, congested and not in the mood for food (or maybe that’s just me?).
A new Christmas tradition?
The last Friday before Christmas I spent the day Christmas shopping with my Mum, it’s been our tradition for as long as I can remember to have a Friday before Christmas where we go out for the day and get all festive. For the past couple of years, though I realised that Mum had started a new tradition, she has suffered from a bad cold each time which although we haven’t let it put us off, it has taken the shine off the day because you just can’t enjoy yourself the same when you feel so rotten.
Avoiding the winter bugs and viruses
So how do you avoid days like that? How do you make sure that you don’t get struck down by a cold when you least need it/want it (not that anyone ever actually wants a cold!). I have a friend in the US who swears by xlear kids saline nasal spray which is safe for infants and allows them to breathe more easily whilst also drying up the nasal secretions.
- Hygiene is the biggest help, I always carry antibacterial hand gels and use them to clean my hands and the children’s hands whenever out and about. We clean our hands before food and drink and I make a conscious effort to not keep putting my fingers to my mouth.
- If you happen to sneeze or cough, do it either into a tissue which should then be thrown away (if you have one to hand) or into the crook of your elbow if you don’t. Again, use antibacterial hand gels to clean your hands afterwards.
- Use a nasal spray like natural saline nasal spray for your little ones. They help to cleanse and moisturise your nasal passages to make it easier for you to breathe. Beanie Boy LOVES having his nose sprayed, so much so I have to hide the canister or he would do it himself!!
- Drink plenty of fluids to keep yourself hydrated (I’m rubbish at this one!)
- Clean high traffic areas in your home regularly with antibacterial sprays and wipes, specifically door handles, worktops and toys.
If you DO still happen to catch a bug like me, sit back and let someone else run around after you whilst you rest and recuperate.