Common Winter Problems with kids and their solution

Hello and welcome back! 

Winter is in its final stage with February beginning today. And, many schools and colleges have begun in full swing. Although we all love winters for a variety of reasons, winters - especially the transitions onward to spring brings along a lot of problems and issues, which we do not like. And, they range from health to mood to our activities as well. After talking to psychologists, nutritionists and counsellors this article is compiled from their inputs - and, it is very valuable not just for students and youth across the globe, but it is also valuable for parents of kids. So, lets read on...

1. Not getting up from bed - Although it is everyone's issue, this particular problem is associated with mostly with kids and school goers - being unable or unwilling to get up from sleep, rather, getting out of their blankets in the morning, and getting ready for school. Reports to the counsellors have these points in common - 

• Feel very cold in the morning, do not wish to get out of the blanket - morning hours are very cold
• Feel lethargic to get up from bed - combined with the cold.
• It's winter, and love to stay at home, instead of going through the hassle of getting ready and going to the bus-stop amidst fog
• Getting ready would mean taking a bath in the morning. Although we would have warm water, yet, after bath, we would feel really cold. 
• In winters, the tiffin looses it's aroma and taste and everything by lunch-time. It rather becomes either cold or dull stuff, which we would not love eating.
• The chairs and benches are cold and we do not love sitting on them. Also, writing in this weather becomes problematic, especially during the first two periods.
• Do not love going to school in general.

Well, there are many more problems beyond this list. In order to solve these, here are a few tips:

• First comes the sleep issue. Research says - if someone with a healthy mind and body completes 8 hours of sleep a day, waking up doesn't become an issue for the person. Often, completion of the sleep-cycle, makes the person wake up automatically. Hence - parents should ensure - however busy schedules their kids might have, they should get 8 hours of sleep every day.
• 8 hours of sleep would not only revive a tired body- rather, the mind would be rejuvenated as well. 8 hours would cure the lethargic feeling too.
• If kids report of a tired mind - well, contact with electronic devices for education is a mandate these days. To stay ahead, we switch to the internet, thus being exposed to the display of communication devices. But, several research has proved that excessive exposure to screen renders our eyes to be strained and also has its impact in other forms like giving us headaches and tiring our brains, due to the enormous information being quickly shuffled through and limited processing speed of the brain. Hence, a check should be there - so as to derive benefits without harming ourselves in the long run.
• If kids do not wish to get out of their blankets due to the morning chills, they could be wrapped in warm clothes right from the bed. 
• Not just students, everyone loves experimenting or achieving or engaging in a new experience. Tiffin making can be a grand incentive for students, esp. kids to wake up. They can be engaged effectively in the kitchen activities - while kids along with parents would make nutritious colourful dishes, thus, giving them an accolade to be proudly displayed to friends at school or college. So, tiffin problem would be reduced greatly.
• They can be induced to play games - like the shortest time in which they can get ready and winner would be rewarded, or, story telling and role play along the foggy roads which they would love to participate in. A little bit of creative thinking and participation by parents could bring in a huge change.
• If cold chairs and benches are an issue - school authorities could be contacted to either place mats or children could be given newspapers or rags to place on them and sit on. Regarding or stiff hands in the beginning, well a little bit of games or activities involving movement would improve metabolic rates and blood flow within the body, thus, making the body warmer. 
• This is an ideal time of the year to conduct various School activities - like sports, cultural events, various competitions, workshops etc. So, depending upon the interests of children, school authorities, apartment committees or residential communities should come together to sponsor and host these events. This is sure to renew interest in school and also provide sufficient exercise to help them combat chills. 
• However, if this is a persistent case with the student, parents should make a note of taking the issue seriously and probing to find if their is any other element disturbing the child.

2. Common cold and cough and heavy lungs- Ahahah....hacchuuu!!! Haacchiii!...well, cold and cough have still not evaded. And, with the routine of reaching morning classes on time, finally setting in, many have a renewed appointment with sessions of cough and cold. Many complain feeling heaviness of lungs. And, this often is cited by many for avoiding places with a morning routine - mostly their school and classes.
                 Well, a sneeze here and a coughing their by your adorable friend might seem cute, but, the entire aspect is not so cute at all. Rather, apart from the troubles faced on these occasions, if these recurring ailments are overlooked they may take a more severe turn in future. Drastic extremes could be chronically impairing the lungs.

So, here are what to do:

• While travelling, especially in the morning hours, make sure that the window shields of cars or busses are pulled down. The breeze - however alluring it may be, indulging oneself might lead to exposure to pollution and cough formation due it, thereby creating a feeling of breathlessness and later - cough and cold and running nose.
• Have a turmeric and honey concoction in warm water - every alternate days in the morning. Both honey and turmeric have properties that would kill bacteria within the body, and heal any swollen glands. This also aids in boosting immunity.
• Everyday after returning home, use lukewarm water for cleaning yourself. And - do ensure that you take a shower, which many would wish to skip. A shower can wipe away a lot of dirt and germs. To enhance the results - use salt water once in while. Mix 3 to 4 tsp or a handful of salt in a bucket of water used for cleaning.
• Gargle with salt water. Also, you can try this method suggested by a PT teacher of a school - take a few drops of saline water in your hand and taking the hand near your nose - inhale mildly. Do not inhale deep enough to let the water go within. Inhale just to let the water go into your nostril, and blow it out. It would prevent dirt from setting in, and also prevent you from catching cold. 

3. Hair problems - We all love flowing long hair. And, winter seems to challenge this dream of ours, by giving us - a frizzy hair, dandruff, dry scalp and dry hair which feels like straw and what not. Many even complain an increased hair fall. Although many reported a decline in hair fall while they remained indoors, we all know that we need to chase our dreams and run about fulfilling it - unfortunately outdoors. And so, we need to step out of our comfort zone. 

But, we cannot give up on our hair, can we. No one would love to walk the Red Carpet of their life, carrying their Oscar in a bald scalp ( unless that is something they would want to sport as style )

Here are a few tips to help - 

• We would hate to 'champi' or oil our hair in summers, but dermatologists and skin specialists highly recommend oiling hair in winters. Dry scalp can cause several problems - like dandruff flakes, under-nourished hair,  seborrheic dermatitis dry itchy patches and maybe the root cause of hair-fall. So, depending on your need and the type of hair-oil suiting your skin type the most, oil up your hair at least thrice a week.
• We love to let loose our gorgeous manes. But we also love the streets - the cars. And pollution is indeed bad for our hair health. Further - even our hair would love a style change and a royal treatment if we sport tied up hair styles. The internet has a vast resource of them to take a cue from and look gorgeous. Pinterest is a treasure trove. Also here is a link to help you - http://www.latest-hairstyles.com/trends/simple-hairstyles.html
• A diet rich in protein and vitamin - C is known to boost hair health and growth.

4. Skin problems - Many say - winter means glorious skin and summer rashes sink within. Well, they are true indeed. But, what sinks can float up once again too. And, winter sun - even if it might be soothing on our happy feet, isn't really as blissful on our face. The UV rays, whose intensity is higher in winters an cause damages to our skin if care is not taken. And now, that we have to step out, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

• Never step out without proper moisturising and coating with Sunscreen. It will shield your skin from winter damages.
• Drink lots of water. It will prevent dehydration and also save you from affects of dry skin.
• Although several cosmetic skin clean-up masks are available, give yourself a natural fruit mask splash in winters. It will rejuvenate your skin, restoring it's glow. 
• For your feet - especially the cracked heels- soak your feet in warm water everyday for 10 to 15 minutes. Use pumice stone to remove dirt and debris. You can even try apricot scrub which is proven to solve feet problems effectively. Wear socks while going out - as it prevents cracking of heels.

Well, that's all for now. Hope you spend the rest of your winter days enjoyably and bid a goodbye to these winter problems. To share your views and opinions on this article or share any other topic significant to you, please email here - aamiprabhasini@gmail.com  or you can even follow me on twitter @PranWin

Stay tuned for more articles on exciting and quick tiffin recipes and valentine's day story. Till then, take care. Stay happy. Stay healthy. Stay safe.