Keeping The Family Healthy

Staying healthy this season whether or not you get a flu shot.

Let’s be real.  The 2017/2018 flu season was awful.  AWFUL.  I don’t know what this season holds, but we, as a family, are going to be prepared.  The influenza virus can be brutal, even deadly, and that is 10000% terrifying.  I don’t want the flu, and I most definitely don’t want my kids to get the flu.  As a mom, fewer things give me more anxiety than sick kids.  Staying healthy is a major, conscious goal in our life. 

I am not opposed to modern medicine when truly necessary.  I am so so grateful for its life saving abilities. AND – I am also a firm believer and advocate of natural wellness.  Yes, mamas, you can be both.  Health is not an either/or situation and suffering with the flu is NOT a certainty.  It is not the luck of the draw.  You can absolutely be proactive. 

There are a multitude of things you can do that will reduce your chances of getting sick or at least reduce the severity of the illness.  

So let’s dive right in.  Below I will share with you the things I do to try and keep us all as healthy as possible. 

Survival of the Fittest  

I’m going to start with a little tough love.  I say and write this as much for myself as I do for you.  I need to remind myself of this constantly.  Day in and day out, we have to actually live a healthy life.  We cannot eat like crap, sleep like crap, treat our bodies like crap, and expect everyone to be healthy. We CANNOT throw natural remedies, vitamins, or medication at our daily situation and expect that to be enough.  Survival of the fittest is reality.  A virus will prey on those it can overtake.  The healthier an individual is, the less likely they are to be affected by it.  Plain and simple science.  

Get good rest. 

When we sleep, our body heals and fights off intruders. A body that is not rested cannot and will not function at its best.  We will get sick more often and more severely.  Not to mention, there are a million other benefits of good, quality sleep.  

I know it’s hard as a mom. It won’t be a perfect a situation every day with kids, but we try our hardest to fall into a good routine and keep it sacred. We set nap times and bed times. We follow them like clockwork.  I am intentional and protective of time for sleep.  I say no to things that will interrupt sleep time. Few things are more important to a healthy body (and mind) than rest.  Make it happen. 

Stay hydrated.

Some of the scariest complications during illness can start with dehydration. We stay hydrated to begin with, and our bodies can function optimally.   Water flushes and cleanses out our systems. When we are dehydrated, we are opening the door for illness (among other issues). Dry air and heaters can really dehydrate us much like the heat and sunshine during the summer.  So keep filling up those water bottles! 

Even my super picky kid loves kale chips

Eat healthy. 

Again, super obvious, but this is crucial.  We eat real food, tons of seasonal fruits and vegetables, healthy fats, and drastically limit sugar and refined grains.   I know this is easier said than done.  But it needs to be done.  

Get sunshine.  

Soaking up some winter sunshine

This time of year, it can be harder.  The days are shorter and we are usually wearing clothing that covers more of our body.  We are lucky here in Texas in that we do have warmer days sprinkled throughout our winter.  Take advantage and get some sun.  Our bodies need the Vitamin D that the sunshine provides.  Even just a few minutes a day can be really helpful.  According to Harvard University, a study confirms that Vitamin D protects agains colds and flu.  

 

Supplements

In addition to all of the things we strive for listed above, I also have a strong supplement routine in place this time of year. 

Vitamin D3/K2 

 As mentioned above, Vitamin D is crucial.  Even though we try to get as much sun as we can, sometimes it just isn’t enough.  We take Vitamin D3/K2 drops every day to boost immune function and prevent deficiency.  Read about the Harvard Study on supplementation here

 Vitamin C

Vitamin C is the classic immune boosting vitamin.  We take a yummy whole food chewable (with none of the junk) every single day.  In addition, we eat oranges and leafy greens to supplement naturally.

Antioxidants 

Load up on them.  They are your bodies coat of armor.  The more the better!  Deeply rich colored foods will give you the best bang for your effort.  We get them in any and every way we can. 

Pre/Probiotics

70-80% of our immune system lies in our gut. If we don’t have good gut flora, we don’t have a healthy enough immune system.  With the modern day diet and the overuse of antibiotics, I am a HUGE proponent of pre- and probiotics for everyone.   They are not cheap, but they are vital.  Literally.  You need to find one without added ingredients, with a variety of strains, and probiotic counts in the several billions.  Do your research, mamas, and fork over the money to take them regularly.  You’ll save on co-pays, no doubt!  Immunity will soar, as well as digestive systems.  You might also find that a lot of other things fall into place once you and the family have better gut health.  

Favorite Natural Remedies

Essential Oils

I personally only trust and use essential oils from Young Living.  Find the right person to help guide you and teach you.  Learn the basics of safety, and put them to good use.  They work.  They are not hocus pocus.  My favorites this time of year for boosting immunity are:  Thieves, Frankincense, Oregano, Lemon, and Raven.  We also love Lavender, Cedarwood, the Tranquil roll-on, and the SleepyIze Kids blend to help us with restful sleep.  

Pro-tip:   They work best as preventatives or when used at the first sign of illness.  Don’t expect to drink a Thieves tea 4 days into the flu and for it to magically cure you immediately.  Use them early and use them often. 

Elderberry Syrup

You can buy it or make it yourself.  It offers major immune boosting effects and has been scientifically proven to prevent and noticeably reduce the severity of colds and flu.  My kids take a teaspoon about 5 days a week for prevention, and will take it 3-4 times a day if they are coming down with something.  My husband and I do the same with a tablespoon. 

Juicing

Yet another way to floor your body with nutrients.  Juicing makes those nutrients more easily available for your body to use. We usually only do this if we’re sick, but I’d like to do it more often.  A simple google search will lead you to a ton of immune boosting recipes. Pick a few you’d like and give them a try.  Or pick some up at a local juice stand.

Bone Broth

A South American proverb says “A good bone broth will resurrect the dead.”  The healing properties of a traditional broth are endless and oh-so soothing.  Make some or buy a clean version from a health food store.  

 

I know all of this sounds like a lot of work.  Eventually, it just becomes our routine; our daily life.  Taking some time out of each day to consciously promote health is unbelievably important.  It also sets a great example for self care and develops healthy habits that will stay with our kiddos for life.  Stay well, mamas!  Remember to include yourself in ALL of this.  If you aren’t healthy, you can’t take care of your family.  You’ve got this!  And in the words of Benjamin Franklin, remember this:

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

 

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