Coughing, sneezing, and illness–they are all around you now. Some think it’s inevitable in the winter months. Others think there is no way they will get it. No one wants to get it. No one has time for it!
I used to be ill for weeks at a time. The fever, aches, sinus issues, weakness, and overall miserable feeling can be avoided if you really would like to do so! Feel free to take a look at my article “Three Reasons You Keep Getting Colds” as well. Here is what has worked for me.
1. Clean.
Yes, it means some work, but you are bringing germs into your home, car, and office every day. During this season, there are more and more germs going around.
Here is a short list what you want to clean more often than usual:
- Your phone
- Door knobs
- Light switches
- Mouse/keyboard
- Faucets
- Steering wheel
- Kitchen appliances (think refrigerator handle, oven door, pantry door knob, you get the idea)
- Everything in the kitchen and restroom (high traffic areas in your home)
Think of objects that you and your family members touch often. Clean them often to prevent the spread of germs.
No, you don’t need to use bleach or other harsh chemicals. A gentle, biodegradable cleaner has worked wonders for me!
2. Incorporate onions and garlic into your diet.
Onions and garlic are both natural antibiotics. They keep your immunity high without killing your gut like prescription antibiotics do. Add garlic and onions to your soups, salads, and other dishes to help with flavor and also to keep the flu away!
If your family does not necessarily like onions and garlic, at least add some garlic powder or onion powder to your dishes. In addition, some people like onions and garlic raw but not cooked. One way that we ate garlic raw growing up was to rub the crust of toasted bread with it. You can also add a tiny bit to smoothies, and it will be blended in with the rest of the food.
I highly recommend organic onions and garlic because they are both very potent. You can find organic at Trader Joe’s or a health food store for reasonable prices.
3. Wash your hands often.
Sometimes it seems like a chore; however, just washing your hands can do much to keep the flu and other illness away.
Here are some times when hand washing is recommended:
- Before you begin cooking
- After you get home from shopping
- Before you eat
- After blowing your nose
- After you have touched a pet
- Before playing with a baby
- When your hands are visibly soiled
- After handling garbage
- Before and after handling raw meat, poultry, or fish
- After visiting or caring for sick people
- After coughing in your hands
- After touching money
In order to wash your hands properly, use a gentle soap (not anti-bacterial), wet your hands, lather with soap for 30 seconds (getting your wrists and areas between fingers), and wash the soap off thoroughly. Use hot water! If you are in a public restroom, keep the water running, dry your hands with a paper towel, and use the paper towel to turn off the faucet and open the restroom door.
There you are with some helpful tips! If you get the flu every year and are tired of dealing with illness, feel free to get in touch so that we can take steps to avoid it. It’s always easier to avoid it than to get rid of it once you have it. You know what happens when one person in your family get the flu, right? It is shared, and sometimes more than one round. If you would like to chat, just email me right away. Please keep in mind that my schedule is becoming much busier with the holidays around the corner, and I do have limited availability. I am available on a first-come, first-served basis.
I look forward to speaking to you!
Sending you many blessings,
Luba
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