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Stay Healthy During Flu Season Naturally

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.

Stay Healthy During Flu Season Naturally

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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.)

Cold Vs. Flu - stay healthy during flu season
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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.

Natural Ways to Stay Healthy During Flu Season

Cover Up

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.

Don’t Touch Your Face

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.

Frequently wash your hands to stay healthy during flu season

Frequently Wash Your Hands

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.

Get Regular Exercise

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.

Eat Your Veggies

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.

Get enough sleep

Get Enough Sleep

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.

Drink Plenty of Water

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.

Diffuse Essential Oils to stay healthy during flu season

Diffuse Essential Oils

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

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