Well it's that time of year. As soon as the seasons change, the illnesses come. Allergies, colds, flu . . . I am currently sporting one heck of a cold (I think) at the moment myself. When you're sick it's hard to get everything done - all you want to do is sit on the couch with a book and a cup of tea, and it'd be nice if the house would magically get clean while you're at it.
But as we all know - MOM'S DON'T GET SICK DAYS.
So here are a few tips to keep yourself (and your family) well this season!
*Take a good multivitamin every day and take extra vitamin c. Vitamins and minerals are your body's natural defense system, and vitamin C packs the biggest whollop against cold and flu viruses.
*Eat lots of fresh vegetables and fruit. There's a reason why the FDA recommends 5-7 servings a day. God made our bodies to heal themselves, and He gave us good food to help us out with it.
*Drink lots of water. Good hydration has been shown to flush out "the bad stuff".
*Wash your hands. A lot. Every time you go to the bathroom, blow your nose, cough, eat, cook . . . this will prevent the little germies from getting into your system in the first place.
*If you have small children or are around elderly adults often, consider a flu shot. If you are not at risk, however, forgo it. If you have someone at risk around you, then the flu shot could save their lives. However, catching a "good bout" of the flu has been shown to reduce the risk of you catching it later in the season.
If you DO get sick, these tips will help you feel better quicker.
*Hydrate. For the same reasons as above. Add apple, orange, or cranberry juice however, because these all contain more amounts of vitamin c.
*Take it easy. Don't try to do too much. Take a day to lay on the couch and doze - have the hubs order take out for him and the kids. It really is healing.
*Eat spicy food. Cayenne, jalapeños, chile peppers, and even black pepper are natural immune-boosting foods. Additionally, salsa contains tomatoes, onions, vinegar, and garlic - all of which have natural anti-viral properties. Plus the heat will help expel mucus (one of the most annoying parts of being sick).
*There's a reason why chicken soup works. Like spicy foods, chicken soup contains lots of anti-viral foods such as onions and celery. Plus, it's just comforting. Something we all need when we're sick.
*Immune boosters such as Airborne, Ester-C, and Zicam will ONLY work if you take them at the first sight of a cold, and even then, they may not work for everyone. So it's best to save your money and go the natural route!
Keeping yourself and your family well is an amazing way to help make your home sing!
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