The key to health: A strong, healthy immune system.
Without this major key, our bodies are more susceptible to catching every passing bug, virus, and infection. Knowing what reduces the health of our immune systems is important.
So, what should I avoid? Toxins. This comes in the form of sugars, dyes, and ingredients in many different products (cleaning, bath and body, foods, airborne pesticides, vaccines, etc). Eat a good, balanced diet. Try to keep your foods as non-processed as possible and if you can avoid GMO's, that is always best. Unfortunately, that is becoming harder and harder these days. Just do your best.
Consider going green with as many of your everyday cleaning, hygiene, and bath and body products as possible! We are not 100% perfect at this, but we have incorporated a lot of green products into our lives.
Vitamin D3 is ESSENTIAL during cold and flu season! My favorite product is Blue Bonnet drops because they are easily added to water and they have a citrus taste. During the winter months we add about 4-5 drops a day to water to boost our Vitamin D3. They say that the flu is actually a result of Vitamin D3 deficiency. If you do nothing else during the winter months to stay healthy, add a good Vitamin D3 supplement!
A good probiotic is very important! I am sure you have heard all of the recent news about the importance of healthy gut flora in regards to our health. It is true! Good health begins in your gut! A good probiotic can he found here and here.
Thieves EVERYTHING! I won't ever be without my Thieves products after they have halted, shortened, and even killed bugs in our house. We use Thieves cleaner to disinfect surfaces, toys, floors, EVERYTHING! I have even had a friend come down with the stomach bug while at my house and, thanks to Thieves, we did not catch the bug from her at all! I apply Thieves essential oil to my kids spines during cold and flu season to boost their immune systems. My husband and I take Thieves spray orally at the first sign of any respiratory congestion or post nasal drip. I can't say enough good things about these products! I have Thieves hand soap at my sinks, and Thieves hand purifier in my purse! So, what is Thieves? Thieves is a blend of clove, cinnamon, lemon, rosemary, and Eucalyptus radiata. We love Thieves!
Another precaution we take during the winter months is to try our best to keep sugars to a minimum. One thing I have done is switched my kids to water instead of sugary fruit juices. My kids LOVE fresh fruit. So, we offer those in abundance as well as make sure they are taking their vitamins and enzymes daily!
Water, Water, Water!!!! Limit those sugary drinks and pick up a glass of water instead! Personally, I am not a huge fan of water. I like flavor. I do add essential oils to my water to help add a bit of flavor. My favorites are Lime, Tangerine, and Grapefruit! If I really want something a little fizzy, I drink some sparkling water and still add my essential oils.
Wash your hands often! Of course, when we do wash our hands, we like to use Thieves hand soap. Again, any way we can get our daily dose of Thieves is amazing for our immune systems! Good hygiene is important during cold and flu season. So, wash wash wash!
But I still got sick! What now? STAY HOME during the entire duration of your sickness. Don't rush to the doctor. Your immune system is at a low when you are sick. You are susceptible to even worse illness during this time. To sit in a doctors office where there are other germs and bugs is a recipe for disaster! Also, do some research. Know your symptoms. Look up possible causes. The majority of illnesses will get better with home remedies. The over use of antibiotics actually weakens your immune system and your gut flora. If you can avoid antibiotics, then you are better off! These days, doctors over prescribe antibiotics. If you are dealing with a virus, antibiotics are useless anyway. Take your Vitamin D3 (up to 10,000 IU's), drink lots and lots of water, and rest. Just because you may begin to feel better does not mean you are not contagious. The good news, once better, your immune system is stronger!
Don't suppress a fever. A fever is not something to be afraid of. A fever is the bodies outward proof that it is fighting the infection. IF the fever gets a little too high for your comfort level, try a little bit of peppermint along the spine and a tepid bath. Especially when it comes to children, parents are fearful of fevers and do whatever they can to get rid of them. This can cause more harm than good because it does not allow the body to fight an illness as it is needed and generally introduces toxins into the child's body through the use of fever reducers which have their own list of known side effects.
My favorite book that I reference often when my children are sick is How to Raise a Healthy Child in Spite of Your Doctor, by Robert S. Mendelsohn, MD. You can find it here. Why I love this book? It is practical, helpful information with ways to know when something is more serious and my children do need medical attention. But it also relieves a lot of "Mommy Anxiety" that all of us deal with whenever our children are sick. As mothers, we want to do whatever we can to get our children better as soon as possible. But many times, we do more harm than good.
Don't be afraid of cold and flu season. Instead empower yourselves and your family with the keys necessary to boost your immune systems, fight illnesses naturally, and find better health!
