Our Tips to Stay Well During Cold and Flu Season
Our family is blessed in that we do not get sick often and when we do, it is usually very short lived. We have quite a few things we implement during the cold/flu season to help us stay healthy. This is what we do and it works well for our family.
Pray for the health of your family. Matthew 21:22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
Stay home as much as possible during flu outbreaks. Limit trips out. For example, buy groceries every two weeks instead of every week. Make regular doctor's examinations during warmer weather when viruses are not so prevalent. Don't arrive any earlier than necessary for the ones you can't change. When you can't limit trips, avoid areas where people are visibly ill. If the line for the bathroom is full of coughing and sneezing people, get out of it and go to the store next door. It's better to be uncomfortable for a few more minutes than to have sickness spread through the family for weeks.
Be reasonable and find a balance. You can't eliminate every germ or every exposure to ill people. It's been proven very detrimental for humans to live in a sterile environment. In fact, children who are not exposed to the normal day to day bacteria are more likely to develop asthma and allergies. This is good news for moms who struggle to keep up with housework!
Wash your hands frequently. Don't worry about anti-bacterial soaps. They are now proving what smart moms have always known...they aren't any more effective than regular soap. Instead, teach your children how to wash properly cleaning hands front and back and between fingers. Quick rinses, which one of my children tries to get away with, are not proper washing. If you are not near water, use one of the hand sanitizers.
Do not touch your nose or mouth with your hands since this will transfer germs directly to your mucous membranes.
Teach your children not to share drinking or eating utensils. If they learn not to share at home, it will be less likely for them to share in other settings with higher risks.
Clean objects you touch with your hands often. Sanitizing baby toys, light switches, railings, door knobs, toilet seats and flush handles, faucets, handles to appliances, etc. is quick and will cut down on the spread of germs. Be careful of products that labels that claim they are disinfectants or have germicidal action. This claim really means nothing since nearly all cleansers have germicidal action and disinfect to a degree. Look for labels that state the product is EPA hospital grade. OdoBan is one such product. Bleach is cheap and kills most germs fast and meets the national recommendations for this kind of application. It is regarded by most world and national health agencies as the most effective cleanser against disease. Contrary to popular opinion, bleach used in the home does not harm septic systems or the environment. Bleach turns into harmless salt water after oxidizing. It is the industrial application of disposing of millions of gallons of unreactive bleach in the pulp industry that concerns the environmental agencies.
Cough into a tissue or your elbow, which will keep your hands clean and from contaminating surfaces others come in contact with.
When someone coughs or sneezes near you, hold your breath, walk several feet away before you breathe again. This will keep you from inhaling the germ laden moisture droplets they expelled.
Boost your immune system with healthy whole foods, exercise, proper rest, nutritional supplements and herbs. Avoid sugar, alcohol, smoking, second hand smoke, chemical exposure (i.e. harsh household cleaners), stress, unnecessary prescription drugs, illegal drugs, high cholesterol, etc all which lower your immunity.
Humidify your home. Dry air dries out nasal passages, which leaves you susceptible to viruses. If you use a humidifier, change the water and clean the unit frequently. Open bowls of water near heat sources can accomplish the same thing without using more electricity. As a benefit, proper humidity levels make a house feel warmer, reducing your heating costs.
Regularly cleanse your body with fasts, whole foods, juices, regular bowel movements, herbal cleanses, etc. You especially need to cleanse your bowels and liver.
Dress for the weather. Being cold doesn't make you sick, but your body can become stressed from being too cold. Research evidence shows repeated stress makes us more susceptible to illness.
In our house, as in most homeschooling families, Dad is the one most likely to bring something into the home. I try to pay special attention to his needs. Since he is busy and often forgets, I bring his vitamins to him to help him remember. If he starts seeing co-workers with symptoms, I load his lunch box up with Vitamin C and Echinacea.
As soon as you see signs of illness, start treating. Research has shown early treatment can shorten the duration of the illness. When we see beginning symptoms, we get extra rest (including naps when necessary) and treat with a therapeutic dosage of Vitamin C at regular intervals throughout the day. This usually nips it in the bud. Women who may be or are expecting need to be cautious in their use of Vitamin C, which can act as an abortifacient. If nasal passages or ears are showing signs of fluid, we treat to improve drainage to prevent bacteria from growing and causing an infection.
Some symptoms may not be illness at all, but could be your body doing a natural cleanse. I encourage you to learn the difference so you will be able to help your body cleanse itself to prevent disease and other illness. A body that is regularly cleansed is more able to fight off germ invaders.
To teach your children how quickly germs spread, use glitter. Put some on an object that is frequently touched and see how far and wide and easily it travels through your home.
© 2006 Contentment Acres