This time of year brings with it all things pumpkin spice, but unfortunately it also marks the beginning of flu season. While I advocate everyone getting the flu shot, there are many natural precautions I take to avoid, and sometimes unfortunately cope with, the flu.
I’m not a healthcare professional, but there are some tricks of the trade that I have found over the years that have helped me avoid a copay. With this tips in hand, you may brave flu season with knowledge!
- Rest
When you skimp on sleep, your immune system doesn’t work as efficiently as it should. Have you ever had a doctor tell you get plenty of sleep when you’re sick? It’s how your body repairs itself. Much like a computer, we need to shut down or we’ll freeze up, especially when there is influx of germs.
- Hygiene
This should be common sense, but I know it can be easy to forget sometimes. Make sure you are washing your hands often and vigorously. This may sound insane, but I don’t use antibacterial soap when I wash or sanitizer; it harms our gut flora, the natural bacteria in the gut that fight off harmful intruders. However, I have found success with vigorously washing with hot water as well as castile soap and essential oils when available.
Also, don’t touch doorknobs! I’m the crazy smart person who uses my shirt/scarf or a paper towel to open doors. Keeping a pen in my purse has also allowed me to forego germ laden public pens.
For the sake of us all, can we please agree to learn how to cough and sneeze the hygienic way? I’m such a stickler about this that even my toddler loves playing “sick”. Instead of releasing your mucus into the air or your hand, follow Dracula’s lead and use the pocket of your arm. Inevitably someone will sneeze or cough in your direction (those germs can travel up to 200 ft.!); just hold your breath and walk away.
- Nourish Your Body
Have you ever heard “You are what you eat?” It couldn’t be truer this time of year. There are things we should consume often and those that we should try to avoid. For example, steer clear of alcohol, caffeine, and sugar and drink more water and eat fresh fruits and vegetables.
Many dishes that appear on tables in Autumn include immune boosting ingredients. Cinnamon, clove, and garlic are all flavorful additions to any meal and help you ward off anything from vampires to the common cold.
In our home we always consume fermented foods to feed the good bacteria in our gut, boosting our immune system. Sauerkraut, kimchee, and kombucha are our favorites. Bonus points if they’re homemade! If you don’t like these treats, try a high quality probiotic.
Then we have our beverages – homemade juice and tea. Lemon and honey tea bring me comfort when the weather starts too cool and is my go-to drink after water. Make sure you use fresh lemon and local honey! When making juice throw in fresh ginger, carrots, and lemon.
- Other Remedies
I’m a huge fan of essential oils – specifically doTERRA. In our home we use a blend that offers immune support cal
led OnGuard. We all apply it our feet, neck, and back, and I diffuse it as well. If I’m feeling under the weather, I’ll use Oregano, Lemon, and Breathe Respiratory blend, among others. These little beauties have made the difference for our family between treating at home and a doctor’s visit.
Cheers to making it through this time of a year without a sniffle!
