The most wonderful time of year is upon us! But unfortunately it also brings with it a not so wonderful season…cold + flu. Blah! Having two small children in school means that something is making it’s way through our door because we all know how well preschoolers do at covering their mouth + not picking their nose {insert eye roll}. But having been through numerous colds with our adorable 4 year old who is also on his first of the season + now our 2 year old who is picking up school germs for the first time, I thought I’d share some tips + products that have allowed us to make it through each fall + winter so far. Now I’m not saying these STOP you from getting the cold or flu but I definitely believe it cuts down on the severity + length of illness.
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1. WASH YOUR HANDS
This is a no-brainer + a tip you will see everywhere. We’re talking warm-soapy water, not hand sanitizer, although I will still use wipes to get surface germs off shopping carts. When it comes to washing hands though this is your first line of defense. As soon as our boys comes home from school they knows it’s shoes off + put them in the basket by the door, change out of clothes which go right into the hamper, then wash hands. Just like everything else this is a habit that needs to be built up but it’s a habit worth making.
The same goes for us parents. Shoes belong by the front door + not worn around the house and hands are washed after being out in public. Exposure to germs is necessary to building up immunity but I don’t intend to allow them to reside permanently in our home.
2. EAT RIGHT + DRINK PLENTY OF WATER
These two go hand-in-hand. Between Halloween candy + the upcoming holiday cookies + treats surely to be made {and eaten!} it is easy to run our bodies down with processed sugar. Since it’s unlikely that we will be able to totally stay away from the tasty treats it’s important to remember to incorporate a well balanced diet at each meal. Using fresh fruit + vegetables for lunches or snacks, especially ones high in vitamin C, like broccoli, kiwi, pineapple + Brussels sprouts, will help give that extra immunity boost. Lean proteins like chicken, turkey + fish are more easily digested by the body than red meat meaning you glean more of the nutrients your body needs to fight off sickness.
3. REST EASY
Anything that promotes a restful night’s sleep…do it. How can you expect your body to fight a foreign invader if it can’t even wake up refreshed?
Diffusing some relaxing essential oils can be great to help relax the body + offer some relief from stuffy noses or headaches. With kids in the house I try to diffuse just lemon, lavender + a small amount of peppermint to help when they are under the weather. See more of my take on essential oils in #5 below.
In the kids rooms we always have a humidifier like THIS ONE going to help keep their nasal passages clear which helps to reduce the risk of ear infections or upper respiratory infections from starting or getting worse. If all the bacteria filled mucus is stagnant it festers + leads to infection.
4. EXERCISE + MEDITATION
It’s hard to stay motivated to exercise when it’s colder outside + darker earlier but getting that 30 minutes a day aids your body in being prepared to fight the good fight. You don’t need to get a whole gym sesh in, just a brisk walk around the block a few times will get the blood flowing. Plus you’ll be able to get fresh air + avoid the gym where germs are ever present!
5. LOAD UP ON THE ESSENTIALS
If the cold or flu hits your home be ready with products to help ease the symptoms that come along with it. For us this includes: humidifiers, essential oils in diffusers, tissues + nose wipes, and saline solution.
A little bit of my perspective on essential oils…Depending on the oil + it’s purpose, these babies help with everything from colds to stress + smell so good! While they are not a quick cure, they can REALLY help to ease breathing problems + even give an extra anti-bacterial/microbial kick.
Here’s the BUT…There are obviously many people who swear by essential oils + use them daily but I’m not one of them. Too much of anything isn’t good in my opinion so my general rule of thumb for using EO, especially with kids, is: diffuse only + not for more than 3 nights in a row or do every other night for a week. Most viruses will work their way out of your system in about 7-21 days with most of the symptoms being the worst in the first 3-5 days.
So in my opinion using EO for any longer than that will not make much of a difference. Remember, like vitamins, EO are not regulated by the FDA + therefore not tested for toxicity or potential health risks. Always use with caution. Natural does not always mean safe!
Disclaimer: Always do your research before diving head first into essential oil usage + choose quality oils!
I also like to make my own cough syrup/throat soother from honey {local + raw is best} + fresh organic lemon juice + fresh organic pineapple juice. In a small espresso cup or even a shot glass, pour 1 tablespoon honey + warm in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. Then add a few drops of the lemon + pineapple juices + drink it down! Green tea or turmeric/ginger tea with lemon + honey is another beverage that seems to help me kick a cold quicker.
This year I will also be making elderberry syrup + will be using THIS RECIPE from Wellness Mama.
As always, see your healthcare professional if you have any health questions or concerns.
Stay well, friends!
Here are some of the products we stock up on to see us through:
What are your go-to remedies + products for surviving cold + flu season?
