Most parents start worrying about immunity only when their child falls sick. But a strong immune system has less to do with medicines and more to do with everyday habits, believes paediatric oncologist Dr Silky Jain.
“Growth hormone is released, immune cells are replenished, and the body resets. In an interaction with HT Lifestyle, Dr Jain shared that a strong immune system is not built in a hospital, but at home by small, everyday habits that people often do not think twice about. She went on to share five everyday habits that parents should start inculcating in their children at the earliest. When sleep is disrupted, a child’s body struggles to bounce back from even a minor cold, noted Dr Jain. That does not mean that children should be made to follow complicated diets. Just more fruits and vegetables, in as many colours as possible, to give the body what it needs to fight off infections . We do not talk enough about how stress affects a child’s health. Dr Jain pointed out that exams, pressure, and even tension at home can quietly wear down a child’s immunity over time. Chronic stress raises cortisol levels, which suppresses immune function.
“Children between six and 12 need about nine to 12 hours of rest, and it is during deep sleep that the body quietly does the work of building immunity,” she stated. Food is usually the first thing that gets overlooked, even though it matters the most, according to Dr Jain.
