5 Ways to Keep Your Family Healthy During the Winter
Are you already thinking about how to keep your family healthy this winter? I’m sure you’re always thinking about it. But staying healthy in the winter seems to be a little more difficult because of the close quarters we tend to be in when it’s freezing out.
Kids will be staying indoors more when the temperature changes which means more germ sharing. Classrooms and nurseries will become breeding grounds for viruses and bacteria. And if you’re just now on the brink of winter, allergies are probably being affected thanks to dead leaves and weeds flying around.
I hate having to take my kids to the doctor and, luckily, they don’t need to go much. I’m not against doctors. I did have to take Jackson recently. But then there were snotty kids everywhere and a toddler threw up in the floor. So there ya go.
Today, I want to share some of the things you can do to keep your family as healthy as possible and some things you can do to help ward off sickness when you see it coming.
Vitamins
This one is pretty self explanatory. But vitamins can be expensive and not everyone feels like the pay-off is worth the price. There are some things you can do to help with this though.
For one thing, shop around. A lot of times the most convenient places are not the cheapest. Also, switch up brands. No one says you have to stick with the same brand all the time. Buy whats on sale or whatever you have a coupon for.
Target will sometimes have a deal where you buy 3 of something, you get a gift card worth $5 or $10. Double that with some coupons and you’ve got a deal!
You can also try to stock up when Kroger is running a BOGO deal. Usually the second item is free which means you’re getting off CHEAP! The most important thing is getting something with immunity support.
You can also keep some zinc on hand to take at the first sign of sickness. It’s so beneficial and is especially helpful for the people who tend to stay busy and run themselves ragged until lack of rest takes a toll on their immune system. Remember that sleep will help restore your body and keep you healthy.
Elderberry syrup can help keep you healthy
People used to think this was a wacky concept until big name brands started mass producing it. If you’ve seen it on a shelf somewhere you know it isn’t cheap. But it works!
You can make your own elderberry syrup much cheaper. It’s honestly really simple to do. Just make sure you read the instructions and cook the berries for long enough. I use these organic elderberries from Amazon.
I like this particular recipe from Wellness Mama because it isn’t too spicy. I’ve already made 2 batches and still have a lot of elderberries, so it really goes a long way. It’s much more cost efficient in the long run.
Also, if you can use local honey from your area it will be beneficial for your allergies. A dose a day helps keep your immunity up, and you can take it every 3 or 4 hours if you start to feel sick to help you bounce back faster.
Essential oils
I’m sure by now you’ve labeled me a hippie mom, but seriously… essential oils work or I wouldn’t waste my money. They aren’t cheap but a few drops goes a long way so it last longer than you think, making it very cost efficient.
A lot of times you can get an introductory kit, giving you huge discounts. I’ll go ahead and tell you that I don’t sell these oils so I can’t help you there, but I have friends who do and I’m sure you do too. (If not, you can follow my friend Trèsbien here on Instagram to learn more.)
This is very important: the oils you use must be 100% pure. Do not buy the cheap stuff at the grocery store. A lot of them say “pure” but I promise there is a difference. I’ve used both Doterra and Young Living and I love them both.
Some of my most used are Breathe and OnGuard (Doterra), Thieves (YL), peppermint, lemon, and lavender (both). OnGuard and Thieves both kill many types of bacteria. I have an OnGuard throat spray that I use to get rid of strep. Breathe is great for congestion and is really helpful for asthma.
Essential oils can be used in a roller bottle, a spray, a diffuser, and many can be ingested. There are infinite ways to use them if you’re willing to give it a shot.
Raw veggie diet
This one is new to me. I recently went through a really bad bout of allergies which caused headache, congestion, sore throat, fatigue and a host of other symptoms. I had been battling the headache for over 10 days when I reached out to some friends for advice.
One friend told me to eat only raw vegetables for 7 days. I remembered her telling me that once before but I hadn’t done it. This time I was desperate to feel relief so I was willing to try anything.
I started it on Monday and my headache was gone on Tuesday. By Wednesday my sinuses were clear. By Friday my throat irritation and cough were gone!
I don’t know if it happens that fast for everyone but I was one happy camper by the end of the week. You might never be this desperate, but if you ever are think of me and eat your veggies!
Homeopathic solutions
A lot of people know about the miracle of Occillococcinum now, but if you don’t, here it is. It’s a homeopathic remedy that is sold over-the-counter in most grocery and drug stores. It is said to shorten the amount of time someone has the flu and reduce their symptoms. I have to agree. I use this for my family at the first sign of the flu and it really does work.
The company that makes this also makes other OTC remedies that can help with a variety of issues. It is possible to get well without:
- 1. subjecting our bodies to more germs at the doctor’s office
- 2. subjecting the general public to our germs and
- 3. risking antibiotic resistance from repeated use of antibiotics.
Make staying healthy a priority
If I can get well naturally, I want to. If I can’t then I’ll see a doctor. There is room for both in my home. But keeping a healthy immune system so I don’t get sick in the first place is my priority. For myself and for my family.
I hope these point help you to get through flu season unscathed. If there’s something you do that works for you and your family I’d love to hear it. Ten years ago I didn’t know about any of these things so I’m always eager to learn more.
Have a good day friends!
3 John 1:2