PW invited parents of Vista International School, Hyderabad to share insights on how they help their children boost their immune system

“I think of my daughter Aparajita’s (class X) immune system as an ongoing conversation with nature. Good health truly begins in the gut, where a strong foundation for immunity is built over time. By letting her soak up the sun, eat wholesome food, and play joyfully in the mud, we help develop a natural rhythm and strengthen her connection with the world around her. These everyday experiences nourish not just her body, but also her resilience. When you wrap all of that up with deep, restful sleep, the body takes all that goodness and builds a strong, durable foundation. Over time, these small, consistent habits become the greatest gift we can give our children — a naturally healthy and resilient immune system” — Kusum Badhani, teacher, Arbor International School

“For my son, Akshay (class X), I ensure he follows a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and protein while encouraging wholesome home-cooked meals over pseudo diets. Regular physical activity, 7-9 hours of quality sleep, and adequate hydration are equally important. I also try to limit his junk food intake and excessive screen time to support his physical and mental well-being. Hand hygiene among other health practices are essential lessons I taught my son early on.” — Bheema Sandhya Rani, IT employee, Deloitte

“Despite our busy lives, our daughter (class XI) Ananya’s health always comes first. We believe strong immunity is built through simple, consistent and healthy habits. Homemade meals prepared with seasonal vegetables, fresh fruits, dal, curd, and other nutritious foods form the foundation of her daily diet. We also ensure she gets adequate sleep, remains well-hydrated, spends substantial time outdoors, and follows good hygiene practices. Above all, we nurture a loving, supportive, and stress-free home environment, believing that emotional well-being is as vital as good nutrition. These mindful daily habits have strengthened her overall health and resilience” — Saswati Gupta, software engineer, Cognizant

“We are a purely vegetarian family. Therefore our daughter Nishkka (class XII) follows a wholesome, nutrient-rich diet that includes seasonal fruits, green leafy vegetables, pulses, whole grains, nuts, and seeds which provide essential vitamins and minerals needed to strengthen immunity and support overall well-being. She also maintains 7-8 hours quality sleep routine, proper hydration, and regular physical activity to keep body and mind active, energised, and resilient. During her demanding class XII academic year, open communication, a positive home environment, and effective stress management have enabled her to remain calm confident, and focused” — Prerna Oswal, entrepreneur