How to Get Through “Cold and Flu Season” Without Getting Sick

How to Get Through “Cold and Flu Season” Without Getting Sick
Your body was not designed to become ill.

When we take care of our bodies, our bodies take care of us.

“Cold and Flu” is not a season.

High sugar intake is a season with buckets of Halloween candy, desserts on Thanksgiving, events surrounded by Christmas cookies, sweets at every holiday gathering, chocolates on Valentine’s Day & more desserts for Easter.

High stress is a season with family members who don’t get along, celebrations to coordinate among multiple households, perfect presents to find, money that shouldn’t be spent, food to prepare, shopping to do, places to be & schedules that are packed.

When we get busy, self care is the first thing to go. Morning lemon water, yoga stretches, regular sleep, nutritious breakfasts, veggies throughout the day, sufficient water intake.

70% of your immune system is in your gut. Nourishing your gut health is a top priority when it comes to maintaining a thriving immune system.

Probiotic before bed THEN 8oz lemon water right out of bed THEN protein for breakfast THEN morning coffee (organic, if you can). (This is my favorite probiotic and this is my favorite gut-loving coffee.)

Manage your stress with time carved out just for you. 10 minutes first thing in the morning before the day starts, 15 minutes before crawling into bed. However it works best in your schedule. 

Quiet your mind. Read a chapter in a book for pleasure. Look up a video for some gentle yoga. Sit in stillness and pray or meditate. Go for a walk around the block. (This is my current favorite quick yoga video.)

Turn off your phone. Keep the screens off for a while. Don’t check your notifications first thing in the morning. Start your day slowly.

As tempting as it may be, limit sugary, processed foods as much as possible. These wreak havoc on your gut, which means they wreak havoc on your immune system. 

Stay active during colder months. Make sure you’re getting at least 7 hours of sleep at night. Prioritize Vitamin D levels and water intake. (This is my favorite Vitamin D supplement and this is what I carry my water around in.)

And irony of ironies, worrying about getting sick makes you more susceptible to getting sick.

Snag my free guide on 5 Easy Steps to a More Centered, Energized Momma here.

The Magic of a Wind-Down Routine



Did you know your “day” starts the night before? It’s true. If you don’t go to bed early enough (or you don’t sleep well), you’re going to wake up groggy, probably run late & worst case scenario your whole day falls behind. I cannot stand the stress of rushing around – especially first thing in the morning! – so here are some tips to make sure you set yourself up for the BEST day!

 

1. Choose your clothes the night before

Some of us are still working from home and we don’t technically need to get dressed in the morning (Go Team PJ’s!) so if that’s you, just skip on over to #2 BUT if you are someone that needs to be up, dressed & out the door – laying your clothes out the night before isn’t just for kids!

 

It seems simple, but not having to rush around looking for a matching sock or the “right” sweater can save you some serious stress in the morning – and I truly believe your morning sets the tone for your whole day!

 

2. Turn your screens off

If possible, stop looking at screens AT LEAST an hour before going to bed. If this is impossible, use a blue light blocker (I actually have a setting on my iPhone and laptop for the screen to go into “night mode” at a certain time). The blue light makes your brain think it’s still daytime, so it still wants to be “up and at ‘em.” If you’re one who is used to the TV on while you sleep, try music instead.

 

3. Have a nice, warm cup of herbal tea

This tells your body it’s time to relax. And it’s a nice way to avoid unnecessary snacking at night!! If I’m snacking right before bed, I KNOW I’m not sleeping well that night.

 

4. Take a soothing bath or shower

I am Team Nighttime Showers. Not only does this save you time in the morning (or maybe it gets you 20 more minutes of sleep), but you’ll probably sleep better being nice and clean. Plus the warmth and steam of the shower (or bath water) helps your muscles relax. 


BONUS: take your experience to spa-level by throwing an essential oil shower steamer on the floor or toss a cup or two of unscented Epsom salt in your bath water and add a few drops of your favorite essential oil!

 

5. Diffuse a relaxing essential oil

My favorite is Lavender! I also love Stress Away & Eucalyptus. Essential oils work with your body on a cellular level and can be a truly powerful part of your Wind Down Routine. When I smell Lavender, my body knows it’s time to relax.

 

6. Read for 30 minutes (at least)

I sleep SO much better when I have read before going to sleep. It puts my mind at ease and is such a relaxing thing to do moments before I close my eyes.


Was this helpful for you? Let me know in the comments below! You can also request to join my new Facebook group for more tips to come – free of charge. <3