How to stay healthy as an Au Pair

A cough here, a sneeze there: kids get sick a lot faster than adults. So, as an Au Pair who has to work with children all day, you might be prone to getting colds a lot more often than your non-Au Pair friends. But there are good news: with a few simple changes in your everyday life, you can strengthen your immune system immensely. Wanna know how? Just keep on reading.

Wash your hands

You have probably heard this a million times before, but washing your hands is a quick and easy way to avoid getting sick. You should obviously wash your hands before cooking and after going to the bathroom. What you might not have thought of is washing your hands after playing with the kids. Children like to explore things with all of their senses, so a lot of times, a toy you touch might have been in their nose or mouth before. They also like to touch everything, so you never know where they had their hands before playing with you. Just stay on the safe side and wash your hands.

Eat good, feel good

You are what you eat. I know it sounds cliché, but it’s true. If you eat bad food, it’s no wonder you feel bad. Eating good and healthy food, on the other hand, will make you feel good and healthy. So skip that breakfast donut and eat some fruit instead.

Cold showers

Cold showers don’t actually make you healthier, but they might help make an illness feel less severe, so that you are still able to fulfill your duties as an Au Pair. Don’t worry: you won’t have to take an entire cold shower. Usually, switching to cold water at the end of your shower can have a lot of positive effects on the way you feel. If you have a weak immune system or have a serious heart condition, you should be careful with this technique, though. The sudden change in body temperature might overwhelm your body. If you are unsure whether this technique is for you, don’t hesitate to ask your doctor.

Be active

Do you really need to take the car to go to the playground or could you and the kids take your bikes for a ride? Do you really need to take the elevator to the third floor or could you use the stairs? Being active doesn’t mean you have to hit the gym every day (although you can, of course). It’s about moving your body whenever you can. Being active helps improve your immune system, making you less likely to get sick even when your Host Kids sneeze right into your face.

Mental health

When we talk about health, a lot of times, we forget that it’s not just about physical health. Your mental health is just as important. If you ever feel stressed, try meditating. It’s a good way to calm down and focus on the here and now.

As you can see, staying healthy isn’t that hard after all. Even if you have to take care of sick kids.

And if you still got a cold, get well soon!
Sammy-Jo