Health is wealth, indeed. Though we have advanced through technology, we still cannot extend our lives with it. In the end, we realise after all the old sayings are gold. They are true, and one can understand its depth with experience in their life. The sudden onset of the pandemic this year has shaken everyone and forced them to understand the importance of living a healthy life and having a strong immune system. We, as parents, must keep our children aware of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, the Dos & Don’ts of staying safe during COVID-19 (Coronavirus). Now children will have many questions (the famous Whys and Hows), eating healthy, exercising daily, etc. Explain to them the fragile situation we all are in now and how can we overcome it. These days, to protect everyone around us, we have to stay home so that the virus doesn’t transmit to others. And to make sure no one gets sick, the following steps are to be followed:

 

  • Staying at home
  • Covering mouth while coughing or sneezing
  • Washing hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water
  • Using sanitiser to keep hands germ-free
  • Avoid handshake and touching your eyes, ears, mouth and nose
  • Maintain social distancing
  • Seek medical advice if feeling sick

Besides following the steps mentioned above, we have to eat nutritious food so that our body is healthy and our immune system is strong. Eat the vegetables and fruits which are rich in vitamins and minerals, especially Vitamin C. Vitamin C, which is also known as Ascorbic Acid, and it improves immunity. Some of the food items and their contents that boost immunity are:

Citrus fruits: oranges, tangerines, lemons, & grapefruits [Vitamin C]

 

Need an answer for the best source of Vitamin C? It is simple-fruits and vegetables. Make sure to include a wide variety of fruits and vegetables in your diet to maintain good health. This also helps your body with the daily requirement of vitamins, minerals and energy. 

Vitamin C plays a major role in defending our body. It helps the immune system in fighting diseases and prevents infections. Our body needs a constant supply of this vital vitamin as our body does not store it.  

 

Foods that are rich in Vitamin C are as follows:

  • Guava
  • Red and green bell pepper
  • Tomato juice
  • Orange juice
  • Papaya
  • Strawberries
  • Broccoli
  • Lemon
  • Mango
  • Cauliflower
  • Potato, and many more. 

The food items, as mentioned above, are the sources of Vitamin C, and these can be incorporated in our diet regularly. Besides them, there are many others which are rich in vitamins as well as in nutrients. Check them out:

  • Spinach [Vitamin C, antioxidants and oxalic acid]
  • Ginger and garlic [Anti-inflamotory properties]
  • Turmeric [Anti-inflamotory properties]
  • Broccoli [Vitamins A, C and E]
  • Almonds [Vitamin E]
  • Yoghurt [Vitamin D]
  • Papaya [Vitamin B, C and potassium]
  • Kiwi [Vitamin K, Vitamin C, folate, potassium]
  • Sunflower seeds [Phosphorous, magnesium, Vitamin B-6 and Vitamin E]
  • Poultry and shellfish [Vitamin B-6, zinc]

 

A pictorial representation of food items which are rich in vitamins and minerals:

 

 

Maintaining a proper diet is one, but maintaining a good shape is also necessary. How many of us do exercise daily? Very few. But this number can improve when we try and inculcate an exercise hour/habit in our daily routine. We can start by exercising for 5-10 minutes initially and gradually increasing the time. Few of the benefits of exercising are as follows:

  • Reduces risk of heart diseases
  • Help control weight, blood sugar and insulin levels
  • Strengthens bones and muscles
  • Improves mental health and mood
  • Improves sleep

With exercising, you also need to hydrate your body. Our body is 70% water, so keeping it hydrated is essential as dehydration leads to many other problems. Remember to drink plenty of water to keep your body hydrated, and to flush out all the toxins or harmful elements. Furthermore, we all have to stay home for a while so that we stay safe, our loved ones stay safe & healthy, and we can save lives. We at Sanskriti The School wish and hope for a healthy, happy and safe future for everyone. Kindly take care.