It’s back-to-school season, but in true 2020 fashion, nothing is quite the same this year. While many of us have opted for virtual school or even homeschooling, many more students are back in class for in-person learning–or will be soon. This time of year is already notorious for an uptick in minor respiratory and immune illnesses, and with the current pandemic of fear, there’s a lot more for us to consider as parents.
There’s no better time to boost immunity, because there are new challenges to mitigate now that school is back in session!
We may be more vigilant than ever about things like hand-washing and symptoms of early sickness…but the many new protocols that are in place which are intended to stop the spread of illness also come with their own concerns and caveats.
Even if your own children are not attending school, the shift in seasonal temperatures and sunlight, combined with our patterns of interaction as a whole, can and do affect each of us. Read on for my recommendations on how to navigate the issues that back-to-school season brings!
New, stricter guidelines for staying home when ill
Giving awards to students for perfect attendance has never made much sense to me, because if your child is sick, it’s best for them to rest and focus on getting better. In the past, the guideline for attending school was to stay home if you have a fever–but other symptoms, like a cough, runny nose, or sneezing, were dismissed in favour of not missing class!
However, in the current climate, many schools’ new guidelines are that children should stay home if they are exhibiting any symptoms of illness, and must not return until they’ve been symptom-free for 24 hours-2 weeks! While this makes better sense in terms of actually curbing the spread of illness, we’re already seeing an almost hysterical fear of even one single symptom, such as a headache or sniffles. Ideally, a culture that values health would prioritize staying home until you’re free of any symptoms of illness, but would also be able to recognize the difference between true illness and the effects of toxicity and oxygen deprivation (for example).
While remote work is much more common than ever before, it’s important to remember that not every job can be done remotely. Often, both kids and parents must attend school and work regardless of whether they’re feeling sick.
Staying well by naturally supporting our immunity
When you can’t risk getting sick, where do you start? With your immune system, of course! There are literally dozens of healthy habits and small daily changes that can make a big positive impact in protecting your family’s well being. Since these are purposely being omitted by the mainstream, we definitely want to explore them here!
We are in a constant and ever-changing cycle of immunity, and it all starts with prevention. From the foods we eat (and avoid), to the movement and rest we get, our immunity is either being degraded – or reinforced – each and every day!
We can support our children’s immune systems just like we do our own: with quality supplements, probiotics, whole and natural foods, and essential oils. If you have a dōTERRA account, a2z Chewable™ multivitamin and mineral supplement paired with IQ Mega® provide healthy fats for an extra immune boost.
Eating whole natural foods like fruits, veggies, proteins, and healthy fats – and avoiding excess sugar and processed foods – will also support our immune system and a healthy balance of gut flora. Hydration is also key…because so many common ailments can be made worse, or even triggered by, minor dehydration.
Our bodies are 78% water, and while we may be able to survive on little to drink, we won’t thrive without plenty of pure, clean drinking water. Aim to drink half your body weight in fluid ounces each day, and – sorry – soda, juice, and coffee DO NOT count! Get a fun water bottle for your kids, and keep some jugs in the car for refills.
New research has discovered that over 80% of our immune system is located in our small intestine, which is why gut health really matters! The gut protecting power of a good probiotic, such as PB Assist® Jr, can be a game-changer.
Finally, the highly effective dōTERRA OnGuard essential oil blend helps to support our immunity from all angles, whether it’s wiping down our door knobs with On Guard cleanser, washing our hands with On Guard soap, or rolling On Guard Touch on the bottoms of our feet before school, work, and bedtime. Don’t forget the gentle and lung-nurturing benefits of our Stronger blend, which provides potent yet safe immune support even for our youngest children.
Let’s also remember the effects of body movement, rest, and sleep when it comes to strengthening our immune system. Physical play is becoming more and more rare due to the prevalence of digital entertainment and sitting down for learning–which means that our kids may need extra help in getting their movement needs met! Go on family walks in nature if possible. Encourage your kids to take up biking, rollerblading, dance, martial arts, skateboarding, yoga, soccer, skiing, skating…anything that gets their bodies moving will help!
When we exercise, our circulation and lungs get stronger, as well as our muscles and bones. Human bodies have developed over many generations with a need for movement inputs such as running, climbing, and lifting loads, and we are living through the most unprecedented stretch of sedentary existence that our species has ever known. It stands to reason, therefore, that even a small increase in our daily movement ‘diet’ will drastically improve our wellbeing!
Getting quality rest and sleep are important for our children, too. Our body’s prime time for rejuvenation and repair is during sleep, so quality sleep is critical for good health…not to mention healthy eyesight, clear skin, and much more!
Kids won’t say they’re stressed, but they may be cranky, irritable, or rude with seemingly no cause. We might not think of that homework assignment they’re working on as stressful…but they’re likely to feel differently! Ask them to skip the screen once it’s late…perhaps after dinner, or at least 30 minutes before bedtime. Give them calm, open-ended opportunities to speak about what’s really on their mind.
Keep your home cooler at night, and sleep in the dark. If you need a nightlight, try something with an orange hue such as a Himalayan salt lamp, which is less likely to disturb your circadian rhythms. Speaking of rhythm, try to go to bed at the same time each day, preferably before you’re exhausted.
Add some On Guard, Lavender, or Breathe to your diffusers to promote restful sleep…and be sure your kids are getting enough of it! Eight hours is okay for an adult, but teens and kids need more…from 9-12 hours a night!
Masks and physical distancing pose new challenges
As we navigate the extreme logistical challenges of virtual schooling and/or work, we must also take care to remember that our children may be scared, worried, and under just as much stress as any adult is currently facing.
The long-term emotional impact of so-called social distancing is not without its own dangers. While staying six feet away from each other is a current decree from on high, it will be prohibitively hard to keep children physically apart at all times while they are in the classroom, and even more so during lunch or recess.
Feelings of isolation are painful and heavy for children, and while screen-based learning may keep them safer in some ways, it puts them at substantial risk in others. We are social creatures by nature, and many experts are warning of the increase in mood disorders due to the lack of social connection that is being normalized as this year drags onward.
Returning to school might feel like a step toward mending these strained social ties, but it may also feel traumatic for our kids to have their return to classroom learning punctuated with mandatory masking, temperature checks, and rigid enforcement of the six-feet-apart rule.
Did you know that wearing a mask is a major inhibitor of clear communication for many people–children included? Not being able to read others’ facial expressions or see their lips moving can be confusing, especially for those who may have issues with hearing or auditory processing.
Additionally, many cloth masks are made of non-natural fibers, and can harbour bacteria and pose health risks all on their own if they are not properly cleaned and changed often.
Doctors are seeing a huge uptick in significant bacterial skin and lung infections, and dentists are seeing many patients with what they’ve dubbed “mask mouth”, which can present as skin lesions around the mouth and cheeks, increased cavities, inflammation of the gums, and terrible breath.
Skin lesions may not sound like a reason to miss school…but if your child has “mask mouth”, it’s almost certainly a bacterial infection, which needs to be treated with antibiotics. It’s important to be aware that use of antibiotics then puts your child at greater risk of viral and fungal infections.
If you’ll be sending your children to school with reusable cloth masks, one or two masks per child aren’t enough. Think about sweaty sports practices, lunchtime on-and-off, and the inevitable sneeze or cough. You’ll want to research quality masks, and get several for each day of the week for each child. That way they may change their masks when they get moist inside against their skin, which is likely to happen several times in the course of a normal school day.
You’ll want to look for natural fibers that can withstand multiple washings, and won’t put your child’s skin in constant contact with the chemicals found in synthetic or treated fabric. You’ll also do well to spray your masks with an essential oil blend such as On Guard or Breathe regularly.
Commonsense measures to keep clean and sanitary
The simple measures of hand-washing and good personal hygiene practices hugely decrease the spread of communicable diseases. We know that washing our hands before eating and after being outside can make a noticeable difference in how many illnesses we experience. Using essential oils and natural body and skincare products also go a long way toward reducing inflammatory responses in our bodies.
Similarly, keeping our indoor spaces clean can reduce the spread of illness. Wipe down surfaces with On Guard cleanser (especially those that get touched daily!), remove your shoes at the door, and change your linens at least weekly. Running your diffusers regularly with a mix of Purify and Lemongrass, On Guard, or Breathe blend is an excellent way to improve the indoor air quality in your home and reduce environmental threats.
When you can’t get to a sink, try skipping the commercial hand sanitizers that kill off good bacteria and introduce hormone-disrupting chemicals, and instead, make your own hand cleanser using On Guard essential oil and alcohol. No time for DIYs? Pick up a bottle of On Guard Sanitizing Mist or a package of dōTERRA’s brand new On Guard wipes, and stash a few in your purse, car, and jacket pocket!
One thing is certain: Back to school season may be strange this year, but it will still challenge our immune systems as it does every year–so we must be prepared! Keeping our families healthy is a critical priority, and I trust this article has empowered you with new tips and ideas to stay well.
