My boys’ school seems to be a big old petri dish of germs over the last few weeks. Before the holiday break, both of my boys had one illness or another. Cole was lucky enough to get a fever bug just a week after he got after the stomach bug. Then when we were away in the Outer Banks, Nate and hubby got sick too. ‘Tis the season, right?
Then today in Cycle class, our instructor started talking about how she only uses one pen in her office that she shares with no one and I was reminded at how we can take precautions to avoid everything that’s going around. The flu is bigtime right now – you can check out how severe it is in your area on the Weather.com Health Map or the CDC’s Influenza Map. {Spoiler alert: it’s most likely “widespread” in your state unless you are in California}
Hand sanitizer is your friend. I just today put a new travel sized hand sanitizer and hand cream (cuz the sanitizer always tries my hands out) and I am using it faithfully anytime I am out in public.
And of course hand washing. Another reason I need to carry around lotion – I’m constantly washing my hands.
I am a HUGE fan of Emergen-C. I truly believe it works. Any time I feel an ache or a sniffle coming on, I take several of these in a day and 9 out of 10 times it works.
Get the flu vaccine. I’m kind of a hypocrite because I haven’t ever had one but I know I should. We get the mist for our boys every year. I know they say that the vaccine isn’t as effective this year but it’s still protecting against several flu strains. This is the top tip for avoiding the flu from the CDC.
Drink tea with honey. I learned the honey thing from a nurse at my pediatrician’s office just this season. I called one day with a question and while Cole was sick, she recommended no cold medicines but only honey. She said that it has medicinal antibacterial uses and can help to break up chest congestion! I also found this quote on tea too claiming that tea can help stimulate hair follicles in the nose and helps to move out germs faster.
Eat healthy & get sleep. This one aligns with New Years Resolutions too! If you are low on protein or healthy foods, your immune system is down and you’re more vulnerable to picking something up.
And exercise!!! I never had the flu when I was exercising. This winter, I’m laid up, and what do I get for christmas? The flu. I’m convinced its lack of fresh air and exercise. Also. I am a huge believer in taking vitamin D. Great tips!
I think you are right! I am sick the least amount out of everyone in my family and I’m the one who exercises the most.
Also – I find that if I feel like I’m fighting something small like a cold, if I force myself to get to the gym, I can generally sweat it out I don’t know if there’s any validity to that but it does work for me!
I’ve gotta watch the late nights. Rest is so important.
Local honey is best to fight disease if you can get it.
I need all of these reminders–especially the REST one!