Happy Thursday friends! I hope that you are having a great week!
Before I share this Thursday Health Thought I wanted to say that if you are looking for past Thursday Health Thoughts (there are hundreds of them spanning 13 years of writing here on the blog!) you can find all of them HERE!
It seems like all of a sudden there have been tons of people struggling with colds or the flu and that is one of the things that we are all hearing about. I even have heard people say that it was "just inevitable". I was shocked when I read recently that many people contract up to 3 colds per year and they can last last long as three weeks! That is more time than many people spend on vacations for the whole year!
So today I wanted to share 21 winter wellness rituals to prevent them!
If you have been around this blog for a while than y'all are aware my immune system is incredible low and so these are tips that I have been practicing for over a decade with great results. Thankfully, despite my extremely compromised immune system I have had only 2 colds and one very short flu which lasted only 3 days in the last 12 years which is a miracle. That is not to brag at all but just to hopefully encourage that even with a compromised immune system health is possible! I hope that these tips that have helped me will help y'all too and you can enjoy a happy, healthy, cozy and sick-free winter!
1. Wash Your Hands
This is such simple tip but one that so many people actually don't do! Take the time to wash your hands every time you come into your home, before you eat and several times a day. This is a simple tip but one of the most important ones!
If you have been around this blog for a while than y'all are aware my immune system is incredible low and so these are tips that I have been practicing for over a decade with great results. Thankfully, despite my extremely compromised immune system I have had only 2 colds and one very short flu which lasted only 3 days in the last 12 years which is a miracle. That is not to brag at all but just to hopefully encourage that even with a compromised immune system health is possible! I hope that these tips that have helped me will help y'all too and you can enjoy a happy, healthy, cozy and sick-free winter!
1. Wash Your Hands
This is such simple tip but one that so many people actually don't do! Take the time to wash your hands every time you come into your home, before you eat and several times a day. This is a simple tip but one of the most important ones!
Additional Tip: Keep hand sanitizer in your car and make it a regular practice to use this anytime you are out or touching different surfaces. While studies have shown that washing your hands is the best defense against germs, using hand sanitizer regularly also does help with protection until you can properly wash your hands thoroughly.
2. Get a Goodnight Sleep
I have written on the blog about getting better sleep and this really applies to this season too! Do you need a better mattress? Check out my post on better mattress ideas!
I have written on the blog about getting better sleep and this really applies to this season too! Do you need a better mattress? Check out my post on better mattress ideas!
3. Move your body
Exercise stimulates your immune system so try to do something everyday to move your body! Many people in the winter months (especially if you live in colder regions) don't excercise or move as much which does have a direct effect on our health!
Exercise stimulates your immune system so try to do something everyday to move your body! Many people in the winter months (especially if you live in colder regions) don't excercise or move as much which does have a direct effect on our health!
4. Sanitize your purse (Briefcase, Nursery Bag, etc.)
Many studies have shown that these items- especially purses can be one of the worst carriers of germs!
Many studies have shown that these items- especially purses can be one of the worst carriers of germs!
Additional Tip: Sanitize your phone- another major carrier of germs!!
5. Drink plenty of water
Water flushes toxins out of our system and helps to move germs out of the body. Want to read more about the amazing benefits of drinking water? Check out this post HERE!
Water flushes toxins out of our system and helps to move germs out of the body. Want to read more about the amazing benefits of drinking water? Check out this post HERE!
And for an added immune boost try adding Apple Cider Vinegar to your water! (You can read all about the benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar HERE!)
6. Take your vitamins and herbs regularly
Most Naturopath Doctors believe that it can take up to three months for your body to start using the vitamins and herbs that you give it so take these on a consistent basis before you get sick.
7. Strengthen your Gut
Did you know that your gut controls so much of your immune system? Going along with #6- take supplements that help to strengthen your gut to help out your entire body! Several years ago I wrote a post on the 10 Affordable and Helpful Supplements for Lyme Disease Patients for the Gut but that post is helpful for anyone that is looking to improve your immune system! You can find it by clicking HERE.
Most Naturopath Doctors believe that it can take up to three months for your body to start using the vitamins and herbs that you give it so take these on a consistent basis before you get sick.
7. Strengthen your Gut
Did you know that your gut controls so much of your immune system? Going along with #6- take supplements that help to strengthen your gut to help out your entire body! Several years ago I wrote a post on the 10 Affordable and Helpful Supplements for Lyme Disease Patients for the Gut but that post is helpful for anyone that is looking to improve your immune system! You can find it by clicking HERE.
8. Reduce Stress and Relax
Reducing stress helps to support the immune system. Looking to do something to help you relax? Take this opportunity to discover the benefits of massage or consider the benefits of pet ownership!
Reducing stress helps to support the immune system. Looking to do something to help you relax? Take this opportunity to discover the benefits of massage or consider the benefits of pet ownership!
9. Take Time to Laugh
Remember my post on the importance of laughter? Laughter is excellent for your body!
Remember my post on the importance of laughter? Laughter is excellent for your body!
10. Dry Brush
Have you tried dry brushing? This simple and yet effective trick is easy to do and helps get rid of your toxins! Not sure how to dry brush effectively? Check out my post entitled Step-by-Step Dry Brushing guide by clicking HERE.
Have you tried dry brushing? This simple and yet effective trick is easy to do and helps get rid of your toxins! Not sure how to dry brush effectively? Check out my post entitled Step-by-Step Dry Brushing guide by clicking HERE.
12. Limit your Alcohol Consumption
Alcohol suppresses the immune system and dehydrates the body.
Alcohol suppresses the immune system and dehydrates the body.
13. Stop Smoking
In addition to the dangers of smoking for your entire health, doctors say that smokers are more prone to more serious and long lasting colds.
In addition to the dangers of smoking for your entire health, doctors say that smokers are more prone to more serious and long lasting colds.
14. Watch what you touch
Are your co-workers sick but still coming to work? Watch what you touch and make sure to wash your hands at work A LOT!
Are your co-workers sick but still coming to work? Watch what you touch and make sure to wash your hands at work A LOT!
15. Take Garlic (or add it to your meals)
Garlic is known to have antibiotic properties for your body. Can't stand the taste? There are many garlic supplements out there!
Garlic is known to have antibiotic properties for your body. Can't stand the taste? There are many garlic supplements out there!
16. Drink Tea
Try drinking different teas to help boost your immune system.
Try drinking different teas to help boost your immune system.
17. Take a Probiotic
Just like I shared in #7- the gut is the storehouse for your immune system. Probiotics can help you in many different ways and studies are showing that those taking probiotics are 42% less likely to get a cold! Check out some of my recommended probiotics that I use everyday HERE.
Just like I shared in #7- the gut is the storehouse for your immune system. Probiotics can help you in many different ways and studies are showing that those taking probiotics are 42% less likely to get a cold! Check out some of my recommended probiotics that I use everyday HERE.
18. Cut out the Sugar and Sweets
Loma Linda University did a study on people who consumed sugar and found that their infection-fighting white blood cells lost the ability to fend off bacteria and viruses.This study also shared that our immune systems can actually be suppressed for several hours after you eat or drink sugar. Are you a person who drinks several sodas a day? If this study is correct then you are actually lowering your immune system for the entire day.
Loma Linda University did a study on people who consumed sugar and found that their infection-fighting white blood cells lost the ability to fend off bacteria and viruses.This study also shared that our immune systems can actually be suppressed for several hours after you eat or drink sugar. Are you a person who drinks several sodas a day? If this study is correct then you are actually lowering your immune system for the entire day.
19. Dry your toothbrush
Make sure your toothbrush is far away from others in your household and have the opportunity to thoroughly dry so that bacteria is not growing on them! (EWWW!!)
Make sure your toothbrush is far away from others in your household and have the opportunity to thoroughly dry so that bacteria is not growing on them! (EWWW!!)
Additional Tip: Make sure to disinfect your toothbrush regularly. I wrote an entire post on how to do this naturally which you can find HERE!
20. Take Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an immune booster to our bodies. Looking for a recommendation on a Vitamin C? We use THIS ONE by Soloray. We purchase it on Amazon due to the low cost and love the fact that it is non-acidic! You can find it HERE.
Vitamin C is an immune booster to our bodies. Looking for a recommendation on a Vitamin C? We use THIS ONE by Soloray. We purchase it on Amazon due to the low cost and love the fact that it is non-acidic! You can find it HERE.
21. Build Healthy Relationships
Studies have shown that those with healthy relationships are generally healthier people.
Studies have shown that those with healthy relationships are generally healthier people.
Did you know that there are certain foods that boost your immune system? Check out my blog post, 17 Foods that Boost the Immune System by clicking HERE to read!
Have you gotten a cold and are looking for help to get over it quickly? Check out my blog post 14 Ways to Heal a Cold Quickly by clicking HERE to read!
Happy Thursday friends! Wishing you a wonderful day (and winter) of health and happiness!
{Disclaimer: The information included on this site is for educational purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult his or her health care provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation or if they have any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment plan. Reading the information on this website does not create a physician-patient relationship.
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