Do you catch yourself getting sick during flu season often? Hate to get vaccinated because of the side effects? Read on to find out how to stay healthy during flu season naturally.
*Post contains affiliate links. It’s free for you to click the links, however, if you choose to make a purchase I will get compensated. To learn more click here. Thank you for supporting my blog!
It’s that time of year again!
Yep…flu season.
I don’t know about you, but I don’t have time for all that.
Flu season usually runs from around October to May. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have a National Influenza Vaccination Week every year focusing on the importance of the flu vaccine. (This year it will be observed December 1-7 in case you’re interested.)
However, if you’re like me and don’t like getting the vaccine because of the side effects, there are other natural options. I have not been vaccinated for the past few years and so far have not had the flu (knock on wood!). Here are some natural ways I stay healthy during flu season.
Whenever I sneeze or cough I try my best to cover my mouth with a tissue or with my arm. Since those tiny droplets flying out of your mouth during a sneeze or a cough seem to spread the flu virus, I don’t want to pass them along to others. Nothing grosses me out more than somebody sneezing on me near the pharmacy at Walmart.
Make sure that if you have to sneeze or cough. Even better if you have a tissue nearby that you can use. It doesn’t matter if you’re sick or just have allergies, covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing is always a good idea.
The person in front of you at the grocery store has the flu, yet just had to make a trip to the store for medicine and some chicken soup. She sneezes while searching for the chicken soup, her tiny flu germs spreading all over the cans.
ou come along and grab a can of chicken soup for yourself, then bite your fingernails because grocery shopping is stressing you out. Now you’re taking home more than a can of chicken soup.
Viruses enter through your nose, mouth, and eyes, so avoid touching your face to stay healthy when out in public during flu season.
Since the flu virus can spread by direct contact (those sneezed on soup cans), it’s really important to wash your hands frequently throughout the day. This is one of the best methods to use to stay healthy during flu season. I cannot stress this enough to the people in my house.
Use soap and water and wash your hands for 20 – 30 seconds. If you’re out and cannot wash your hands right away, use hand sanitizer.
You’re already supposed to be getting exercise for other health reasons, but did you know that regular exercise also helps us stay healthy during flu season?
Exercising speeds up the heart so that it pumps larger amounts of blood. This helps transfer more oxygen to your body, increasing your body’s natural flu-fighting cells.
Getting plenty of fruits and vegetables is important all year, but during flu season they really come in handy.
The natural chemicals in certain plants give your immune system a huge boost! Vegetables are high in fiber as well as vitamins and minerals. Try the seasonal fruits and vegetables such as sweet potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, and green beans, pears, cranberries, apples, and grapes.
Lack of sleep can actually lower your immune system, so it’s vital that you get enough sleep during flu season. Loss of sleep plays a role in whether or not we’ll actually get the flu as well as how our body will fight the illness if we do actually get it.
I have a really hard time drinking water in the cooler months, so I have to try to remember to drink a glass every hour. A good way to remember this is to have a water timer on your phone that is set to go off every hour. There are also quite a few water reminding apps out there.
Water keeps us hydrated and is very important to our health. Adding a lemon wedge to your glass of water is also a good idea since lemons restore our body’s acid-alkali balance. This helps to support healthy bacteria instead of the harmful bacteria that thrive in more acidic environments.
Essential oils have become a huge must in my home. My favorite way to use them is to add 6-8 drops of a certain oil to a small diffuser and just leaving it on all day.
A great essential oil to use is the Germ Fighter Synergy Oil from Plant Therapy. If you need a more kid-safe version, try their Germ Destroyer Oil. To give your immune system a boost try the Immune Aid Synergy essential oil.
Shop Essentials Oils for Kids at Plant Therapy.How do you stay healthy during flu season in your family?
Looking for more natural living inspiration? Check out these posts:
Natural Ways to Make Your Home Smell Like Fall
Natural Cleaning Supplies
No-Sew Lavender Drawer Sachet
Do you have too much stuff taking over your living room space? Then you need…
Is your blanket addiction taking up too much space in your home? I get it!…
Learn how to organize a small bedroom when you're on a budget with this complete…
Are you trying to find a way to store all of your bathroom items? Learn…
Spend more time relaxing and less time cleaning with my favorite budget-friendly bathroom cleaning hacks!
A step-by-step guide on how to organize your bathroom to get a more functional space.
This website uses cookies.
View Comments
Great tips, I usually skip my vaccine too. The one year I had it is the only time I've ever experienced any kind of flu-like symptoms so I rely on keeping myself generally healthy and my immune system manages just fine on its own. It's awful how inconsiderate other people can be when it comes to wiping down surfaces and covering themselves when they're ill though! x
Sophie
Thank you! The flu vaccine makes me feel the same way, which is why I often wonder what they're putting in there. I agree! It's not difficult to cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough.
Thanks for these tips.
You're welcome! Thank you so much for reading! :)
Very informative post Michelle. We need to be very careful with kids for handwash. They keep playing here and there and straight away open the fridge.
Thank you so much! I understand how that is. We can't always catch them to remind them to wash their hands and as adults I think we sometimes forget, too. :)
Great tips to avoid the flu, there are many cases already reported around our city.
Thank you! Praying it stays away from your home. ?
These are all great tips to avoid the flu and I especially love the "get enough sleep" point, mainly because of the wonderful cat picture! Lol :D
Thank you so much! I loved the cat picture, too. He's so adorable! :D
I think people often forget about trying not to touch your face. Our hands have SO MANY germs on them...why would we want to transfer them to our face, near our noses and mouths?
The one that we struggle with the most is eating our veggies... Such a hard one. :)
I agree. It just seems natural to touch your face when your hair falls in it or if you eye itches. We just do it without even thinking about it. I have a hard time with veggies, too. :D
These are really great tips Michelle, I'm the same as you and prefer to stick to natural flu prevention. Exercise is a great way to stay healthy and boost immunity in the winter, I do need to get better at drinking more water though - thanks for the reminder! Have a lovely week <3 xx
Bexa | http://www.hellobexa.com
Thank you! Getting enough exercise in the cooler temperatures is hardest for me because I don't get outside as much. I need to work on that. :) Thank you! I hope you have a wonderful week!
Great tips! Hand washing is sooooooo important!
Thank you so much! I agree. :D
Amazing tips, I was just thinking about this - my kids got their shots and I'm doing an alternative remedy plan because I work from home- but nevertheless better to be safe than sorry
Thank you! I agree. You just never know any more. :) I pray the flu stays away from your family!
thank you so much & same to you and your family - good health and blessings in this season and seasons to follow Michelle :-)
I haven't experienced a flu shot yet, but my family doctor may start encouraging me due to my more mature age (64 will soon be around the corner).
I am a huge proponent of hand washing. When I was teaching, I think this was one of the major reasons I avoided picking up the latest crud roaming the building. Exercise, healthy eating, and adequate rest certainly help as well.
My doctor has been trying to get me to take mine since my early 30's so you're lucky! :D I think hand washing is the most important! That's great that you were able to avoid getting sick while teaching. All those little germs roaming around everywhere can certainly be hard to avoid sometimes.
Thank you for sharing Michelle - this is a very important topic in fall and since I am around quite a lot of small children these days I think I should be more careful when it comes to prevention:)
Stay safe from the flu and all the best
Laureen
Thank you so much! It is hard to avoid so many germs when you're around small children. Praying the flu stays away from you this year! :)