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.
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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.)
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?
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I have nominated you for The Future Goals Award. Please see my latest blog for details. And don’t feel obligated to participate!
Thank you so much! That means a lot to me! I'm still trying to catch up on reading blogs. :D
People don’t give any thought to what they touch when they go out in public areas. Once I simply went grocery shopping, and within two hours after I arrived home my throat became irritated, Eustachian tubes swelled, and I started sneezing. Cleaning the handle on the cart and also cleaning my hands when I get back in my car has helped tremendously. Also, upon arriving home, I thoroughly wash and dry my hands before handling my food.
I would like to personally thank the genius who first thought of putting those antibacterial wipes next to the carts at the grocery store. I not only wipe down my cart, but I continue to wipe off my hands as I go through the store. Call me paranoid .. or just call me healthy. ;)
If you want to be environmental friendly, carry a handwash gel in your handbag. Wipes not only clog our sewerage systems, they do not biodegrade.
Thank you, Chrissie for letting us know that! :D
You're welcome! It's so easy to take out a small container of hand wash gel. And you can wipe other things with it too.
Right? I do the same thing! I wipe the cart, throw the wipe away and then grab another one to take with me. I'll call you healthy. :D
One doesn't get symptoms within hours. Cold viruses incubate for up to 3 days.
That’s good to know! I just assumed my handling doors and the shopping cart did me in ha ha.
Oh no! I'm sorry that happened to you. I'm glad that most of the stores around here have cleaning wipes by the doors now so you can wipe the cart handles.
Such an awesome post Michelle! Lord knows I'm grateful you are spreading awareness of people's nastiness, LOL. I laughed a few times while reading this because I could hear your humor through the words. It's true - people are freakin' nasty! I've had this look - ? - more than a few times when dealing with the public. When I worked in the hospital, I was sincerely blown away by the lack of hygiene with some folks. We can't prevent others from being who they are, but we sure can try to protect ourselves!
Hand washing is definitely a must. Love the essential oil tip too. I hadn't heard of germ destroying oils but I 100% believe it would work. Think it might be time to check that out :) Have you seen a difference since you started using it?
Love the photo of the relaxed kitty too. You can't go wrong there ;) Sleep is a big one though. I've found that almost every time I wore myself down with stress and lack of sleep, something physical suffered. I'm betting you have too. Our immune systems just can't take the extra load when we're not rested up. Plus, the irritated attitudes aren't helpful either. :P
Awesome article Michelle. I've pinned it! Thanks for sharing!
I agree! Ironically, a hospital may be the most likely place to get sick.
It really is! Scary when you think about it.
Thank you so much! People really can be disgusting and plain lazy. It's not that difficult to take a few minutes to wash your hands! I'm sure you saw all kinds of of stuff in the hospital. Yuck!
I have seen a major difference with using the oils. I haven't had the flu since I've started using them, (knock on wood!). I use them to clean with and diffuse them throughout the day. I also have a recipe for homemade hand sanitizer that I want to try out soon.
I agree on not getting enough sleep. Whenever I am overtired and have run myself to death I find that I end up with a cold quicker than usual!
Michelle, this is a wonderful post with fantastic tips!
People just don't realize how dangerous it can be for people with lung disease, when they spread their flu germs. I have to get the extra strength flu shot now and I can still get sick, because flu shots don't protect against all flu viruses.
Thank you so much! Oh yes, I agree! I always try to think of others when I go out, too, because you never know what disease or illness they might have.
Such great advise Michelle, and actually good to keep in mind for the rest of the year too. Some people just don't seem to be aware of how they can affect others, I've been in line to pay at the supermarket, and the person in front of me started caughing in such a way that it made me leave and go to a different check out. Great post.
Funny, how when we're not feeling good we can forget to consider others and it becomes all about us. :/
Thank you so much! I agree! It's something we can definitely do all year. That's so gross! I would have done the same thing!
Great post, Michelle! I do try to get the flu shot every year, but like another reader said it never seems to cover all of the viruses that come during the colder months. Whenever I go out shopping I ALWAYS wipe down the cart and my hands throughout the day. Besides washing your hands a lot, I also recommend disinfecting your cell phone and the steering wheel of your vehicle as often as possible. Those are two things we tend to forget but if we only knew how many disgusting germs are on them it would make us sick-literally! LOL! Thanks for the tips on essential oils. I do use some during the winter months but I wasn't aware of those you linked. Going there now to order some up!
Thank you!! I always wipe the cart down really good, too. I'm so glad stores have those wipes there! I love your recommendations on disinfecting your phone and steering well. I seriously never even thought about the steering wheel! I need to get some disinfecting wipes to keep in my car. :) Enjoy your oils! I love using them for so much!!
This is very insightful!
Thank you so much! :D
Great article Michelle with so much helpful information and tips in it.. washing Hands is the key we should all focus on but I do agree on all other advices too... essential oils are going to be must haves for me this season. Germ destroyer is quite new to me.. going to look for it... thanks for the great post...have a wonderful weekend....❤️
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Thank you so much! I agree - washing our hands frequently is most important. I really enjoy using the essential oils since they are all natural and work wonders! :D I use them for so many things.
Awesome tips I hate getting the flu! What a great idea for the diffuser I will have to try that for my little one!
Thank you! Me, too. I try whatever I can to avoid getting it. The essential oils have really helped in my house. :)
Very informative post! In spite off taking the flu vaccine the last two years, I ended up getting a bad case of the flu both years! I blame it on the kids in my class! Except for diffusing essential oils, I have followed the advice you mentioned. Last year, I changed up a few things vitamin wise, and I am praying that the flu will pass me by this year! ???
Thank you! Oh no! That's not good. :( I wish parents would keep kids home when they're sick. It would help so much! I pray the flu passes you by this year, too! Maybe give the essential oils a try some time. They work for so many things. :D
Thanks for the tip!