While it may not be possible to completely avoid the winter lurgy when you have children (especially once they’re in school), a few consistent habits can genuinely reduce how often illness strikes and how severely.
You don’t have to completely change your lifestyle: just some small tweaks to your regular habits can help keep your family as healthy as possible. With that in mind, here are five practical – and doable – ways to keep your family well this winter.
- Make hand hygiene a non-negotiable habit
Washing your hands sounds basic because it is – but it works. Most winter illnesses, including colds and flu, spread through contact with contaminated surfaces and then touching the face. Especially with children, encourage regular handwashing with soap for at least 20 seconds when they get home from school, before meals and after blowing noses. You could also keep hand sanitiser in school bags, in the car or on the kitchen counter for when the sink is not nearby. The key is to make hand hygiene easy and doable, so it becomes a habit rather than a battle.
- Prioritise sleep
Sleep is one of the most underrated immune boosters available, and it costs nothing. During deep sleep, the body releases proteins called cytokines that help fight infection and inflammation. When sleep is consistently cut short, this process is disrupted and the immune system operates below capacity. School-aged children typically need between 9 and 11 hours a night, teenagers need around 8 to 10, and adults should aim for around 7 to 9 hours. Winter is actually a good opportunity to get this right: longer and darker evenings make earlier bedtimes easier. When everyone is getting adequate rest, you may well notice fewer sick days over the winter months.
- Feed immune function with whole foods
A bowl of warm soup on a cold evening does more than comfort; it’s also packed with vegetables, legumes and nutrients that support the immune system. Beyond a hearty soup, you can also focus on feeding your family foods rich in vitamin C (like citrus fruits, peppers and broccoli), zinc (in lean meat, eggs and chickpeas), and vitamin D (fatty fish, eggs and dairy). Because South Africans get less direct sun exposure in winter, vitamin D levels can dip, so it may be worth considering a vitamin D supplement, particularly for young children. Reduce processed snacks and sugary treats and replace them with healthier options like protein bars, nuts, biltong or fruit. Hydration also matters more than you’d think in winter – because the air is colder and drier, people don’t always drink enough when they’re not feeling hot and thirsty.
- Get the flu vaccine before the season peaks
Flu season in South Africa typically runs from April to September, with June and July being peak months. Vaccination remains the most effective tool available for reducing the severity of illness and preventing complications, particularly in young children, older family members and anyone with underlying health conditions. The keyword here is “before”: vaccinating your family once the flu is already circulating means you may not be as protected when virus season really hits. Most GP practices and pharmacies carry flu vaccines and can fit the appointment into a busy week. It is one of those small things that pays back disproportionately.
- Know when to see a doctor
When illness inevitably strikes, acting quickly and getting help from a doctor or clinic can stop it from becoming more serious. The tricky part is that parents often find themselves in a mental tug-of-war when their children get sick: is it serious enough to justify a visit to the doctor, or should they let it pass? If you belong to a medical aid, you may be able to pay for your GP visits through your scheme benefits, which removes cost as a potential blocker plus gives you peace of mind at the same time. Fedhealth members, for example, have access to unlimited network GP visits, so even if your day-to-day savings have been used up for the year, you can still be covered for GP consultations.
Generally, you should seek medical attention if your child has a fever that doesn’t respond to medication, if they’re having difficulty breathing, are unusually lethargic or are showing signs of dehydration such as sunken eyes or very infrequent urination. In adults, you should visit a doctor if you have severe symptoms that get worse after a few days or are accompanied by chest pain and mental confusion
