5 Natural Ways To Prevent Getting Sick Again This Year
The misery that is cold and flu season is already upon us, meaning you’re highly susceptible to whatever is circulating around your office. The key to staying well (despite the coughing coworker who refuses to take a sick day): good old-fashioned handwashing and these natural cold prevention strategies.
1.Cut Back On The Sugar
Sure, eating well is always important for your overall health, but especially this time of year. Sugar can deplete the immune system, making it harder for your body to fight off viruses. In addition to passing on the sweets, focus on in-season, warming foods, like a stew that’s plentiful in root vegetables. This stems from an Ayurvedic philosophy. The thinking is that it puts less stress on your digestive system, helping the gut, which is ultimately at the root of our immune system.
2.Take Healing Herbs
Adding certain anti-inflammatory plants, via diet or supplements from natural health food stores, can help boost your immune function. Mushrooms and warming spices like Turmeric can boost your immune system. As well as a healing pumpkin or tomato soup. For an added boost drop in a few drops of Lemon Essential Oil.
3.Apply Essential Oils
They’re must-haves for their aromatic powers (chic diffusers are now replacing toxin-loaded air fresheners, thankfully), but Essential Oils have real body benefits as well. Essential oils are antiviral, antibacterial, and stress-relieving and that can help prevent you from catching germs. Some of the best essential oils for natural cold prevention include Immunity Blend, Rosemary, Tea Tree, and Clary Sage which are not only top-notch when it comes to antiviral and antibacterial properties, but also have a wide range of functions like supporting lymphatic drainage, curbing the buildup of fluids like mucus, and boosting immune function.
4.Get Fresh Air
The temperature dipping below 50 degrees is not a cue to hibernate. In fact, it’s imperative you get fresh air even when it’s chilly (so long as you’re dressed appropriately). Holing up indoors only exacerbates the vitamin D deficiency that’s so prevalent in winter, especially among women.
5.Commit To Calm
Another reason to keep your stress levels in check: stress hormones like cortisol suppress your immune system, making you more vulnerable to contracting a cold or the flu. Meditation, yoga, and acupuncture all boost immunity by lowering stress hormones. The trick is to identify the self-care practice that truly bring you peace — whether that’s meditation, a relaxing oil self-massage, or reading a book and then integrate those practices into your life.