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Dare I say it… Winter is around the corner. I know, I know. We haven’t even fallen back yet. But I’m telling you — the sickies are moving in and they’re moving in fast! I’m trying to stay ahead of the curve and prepare a defense to stay healthy during cold and flu season now.
Here’s what we’re doing to stay healthy this winter:
Rest and Sleep
The key for us is making sure we have very few late nights (especially the kiddos) and never say no to a nap! Sleep helps our bodies to recover and rest.
Vitamin C + D
We’re about to enter the ‘dark season’ here in the Midwest. Seasonal Affective Disorder (or SAD) is a real thing with real consequences. Heck, even in the Summer, we just have infrequent sunny days. So it’s no surprise that we need to give ourselves an extra boost of Vitamin D throughout the year, but especially during the cooler months.
Also? Don’t forget to load up on that Vitamin C! Keep your immune system in tip-top shape!
Stay Hydrated
I’m the first to admit that I do not drink an adequate amount of water. In order to do so, I have to make a serious conscious effort.
Last year I picked up one of these water bottles in hopes to remind myself to drink more. Guess what? It worked!
Of course, making sure my kids have their water bottles filled at all times also helps. Not juice, not milk; just water.
Probiotics
As much as I want to keep bacteria and germs away, I’d like to keep the good bacteria around.
My husband and I and the kids all take a daily probiotic to make sure our gut stays as healthy as possible. Because the kids’ probiotics are gummies, if they don’t get them daily I’m reminded. They will absolutely ask me for ‘their gummies.’
Elderberry Syrup
Before becoming a mom I hadn’t given much thought to alternative medicines. And I’m still not saying that you shouldn’t use and trust modern medicines. I am saying that you shouldn’t completely write-off things like elderberry syrup when you’re looking for the means to keep everyone healthy.
It’s been discovered that Elderberry syrup can help to fight viruses, including the flu. If you don’t have access to Elderberry syrup in a local health foods store try this syrup from Amazon.
Maintain a Healthy Diet
It can’t be an accident that sick season and soup season are one and the same, right? Real talk though — obviously we do our best to eat a balanced diet, but kids are ridiculously picky eaters.
One thing they will eat is soup. And the bonus about soups (like this creamy chicken noodle soup) and stews is that you can sneak all kinds of veggies into them!
Hit the Sauna
I am a recovered sauna skeptic. It wasn’t until a group of women from my gym started preaching about the wonders of a 20-minute sauna session that I finally caved and tried it for myself.
I used the sauna for post-workout recovery. And I completely avoided the usual soreness that accompanies a workout. But it has other benefits as well. Deep sweating that you experience in the sauna has been proven to release toxins from the body, aid in better sleep, relieve stress, and help to fight illness.
These are some great tips! I’ve never heard of Elderberry Syrup to fight viruses. I’m going to have to try it!
Great Tips! I am currently waiting on my order of Elderberry from my sister so we can start taking it daily! I have to also get back to our vitamins! These are great tips!!
I am working on doing a lot of these. I just don’t have time to be sick, so I do what I can to prevent it.
I cannot express how much hydration is. Not many people take this seriously!
I never heard of elderberry syrup. Are they expensive? I need to see how much they are and how much I should take per week lol
These are all amazing tips for staying in tip top shape for the winter. I am using most of them and am now using probiotics as well. Thank you for sharing!
These are some very helpful tips and tricks! I do most of these but will definitely have to visit the sauna, I heard they have so many benefits.
I am guilty of not staying hydrated enough. This is something I have to pay more attention to!
These are excellent tips. I have never tried Elderberry syrup. I will have to look into it more. I got pneumonia last winter, and I want to stay as healthy as I can.
I’m one of those people who almost forget about taking water whenever it gets cold but I really should discipline myself when it comes to taking more water. And I love the idea of giving ourselves a VITAMIN C + D boost- it will be proper to stay fit inside-out.
Great tips! Had no idea what Elderberry syrup even was. But I may grab some, just because it doesn’t hurt to take extra steps to stay healthy.
That is awesome especially for those of us that live in Canada lol…Amazing tips, thank you!
I follow the rest and sleep part and the hydration part. Intake of vitamins is the one part I miss often. Will try to follow it surely. Winters are not very cold here in the part of India I stay but still protection is always good.
I have not heard of the Elderberry syrup. It sounds like a Harry Potter potion, so now I have to find some. Great tips…..Hopefully, we’ll all stay healthy this Winter.
I hear you about the SAD, even though I live on the southwest I am already sad that summer is over. I love all your tips for getting ahead to the sick season.
These are all great tips and tricks to staying healthy! I take vitamin D throughout the winter, personally. I find it works wonders.
Apart from the romantic setting, I just hate winters.
Thanks for the wonderful post.
Your tips and suggestions are all spot on! I picked a lot of new information from here. Cheers to a healthier life!
Those were some pretty helpful tips. I guess staying hydrated is the key to survive throughout the year! 😀
This is awesome and helpful tips and I will really do this tips this coming winter. I really getting a bad day when its cold. Thank you so much!
These are great tips to take care of oneself this winter! I definitely up my Vitamin D intake because of the lack of sunshine.
These are great tips and doing all these things will definitely help us to be strong and healthy not only on this winter season but for every season that we have.
i agee with probiotics. my boys are taking them And sW the improvement in their eating and health.
Did you see my recent sauna post? I’m obsessed with the infrared sauna at j bellezza at Pinecrest now!
I am loving the tips… Its helpful especially like in England. I tend to cover up and try my best to eat well but it hard.