We are officially into flu season, and with last year’s widespread influenza, parents everywhere are proceeding with caution. Doctors recommend getting the flu shot sooner than later to guard against contracting the illness, but there’s nothing wrong with gearing up with some natural methods, too! Keep reading for some worthwhile ways to prevent the flu this year.
1. Immune Boosting Essential Oils
There are plenty of essential oil brands that craft their own immune boosting blends, but you can also use high-quality single oils to get the same effect. Come flu season, make sure you have plenty of lemon, frankincense, oregano, peppermint, and tea tree oil on hand. You can use proprietary blends like Purification and Thieves from Young Living or OnGuard from DoTerra as well. Check out Pinterest to see how diffusing, blending and applying these oils can help boost your family’s immunity heading into the heart of flu season.
2. Celery Juice
The next time you whip up your morning greenie, you may want to pack in some extra celery. Research has shown that there are tons of health benefits to drinking celery juice on a regular basis. In addition to being a natural diuretic that reduces bloating, celery packs properties to purify the bloodstream, lowers cholesterol and fight infections. Making your own is as easy as blending a head of celery with a splash of water, then pouring through a strainer before drinking. Yum!
3. Vitamin C
Prepping your body for flu season doesn’t always involve expensive oils or fancy vitamins––just take advantage of nature’s bounty! Stock up on lots of vitamin C found in citrus foots and other greens like kale, broccoli, peppers and spinach. Blend into a smoothie so you can hide the evidence when it comes to picky eaters.
4. Practice Lots of Hand Washing
We all know kids love to get dirty and it’s super simple to pick up germs at school and on the playground. Make sure to kick up your hand washing in the flu season, focusing on post-playdate and school time. It’s a good practice to head straight to the sink when coming inside, and teaching your kiddos not to touch their face, nose and mouth which passes on germs in a flash.
5. Take Elderberry Syrup
Elderberries are natural immunity boosters so they’re an easy way to protect your body against the impending flu. You can take it in syrup, capsule or gummy form which is ideal for the kiddos! You can find them at almost any pharmacy and on Amazon. Just be wary of added sugar to make the gummy’s taste better!
6. Get Lots of Sleep
We know, sleep and parenting don’t always go hand in hand, but an exhausted body leads to a sick body! Add an extra layer of protection by getting both the kids and yourself to bed on time and choosing to rest when you start to feel under the weather. Sleep is the body’s natural healer, so make sure to listen when it speaks up!
7. Keep Up Your Exercise Routine
When winter sets in, it’s hard to feel motivated to exercise because it’s just so darn cold, but your body will thank you! When you exercise, the white blood cells in your body which are responsible for fighting infection, course through your body faster. Your immune system then becomes better equipped to ward off germs and disease––and hopefully the flu.
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