10 Tips to Stay Healthy

Fortunately, I’m not someone who often comes down with the usual winter illnesses. In fact, over the past 24 years, I can only recall being really sick with a cold or flu twice. I believe that living a healthy lifestyle should become more of a priority as we age—and part of that means being proactive about our health, especially during the colder months.

Of course, even the healthiest routines can get derailed. Lack of sleep, poor eating habits, travel, exposure to sick people, and everyday stress can all take a toll. That’s why I pay close attention to how my body feels. When I notice signs of being stressed, tired, cranky, or run down, I pause, take note, and lean into the remedies that help me reset and recharge.

With that in mind, here are my top 10 tips for staying healthy as the seasons change!

Have a Strong Immune System

First and foremost, BUILD your immune system. There are so many germs and viruses out there and a weakened immunity system is a magnet to the nasty things in our environment. Eat a diet full of fruits, vegetables and lean proteins. If your diet isn’t adequate, you may want to consider adding an immune booster. Personally, I really like the Metagenics product line, especially this this one for immune support.

A Healthy Gut is a Must

2. Have a healthy gut. A healthy gut = a strong immune system. Keep away from high sugar, processed foods. With the holidays just around the corner, it’s easy to consume lots of sweets and alcohol. It is okay to do that occasionally but make sure you eat a healthy and balanced diet in between.

3. Do you take a probiotic? If not, you may want to do your research on probiotics as they may affect you differently. Here is the probiotic (Metagenics UltraFlora Control) I take daily (click here). Other selections of probiotics are available but I recommend you research which one may be the best for you.

Part of having a healthy gut and a strong immune system is getting enough Vitamin C and E and eating a high fiber diet. I take Emergen-C Vitamin C supplement in a glass of water when I’m under the weather and always when I travel (link here).

Wash Your Hands

4. Wash your hands. I have trained myself that the minute I get home, the first thing I do is head for the kitchen sink and wash my hands.

Nearby is a tube of hand cream and Thayer’s Witch Hazel. Witch hazel is a natural astringent, which means it can help tighten skin and slow down signs of aging such as discoloration, redness, and dryness. So I wash my hands, apply some witch hazel and then hand cream….and repeat often. Personally, I only use hand sanitizer in an emergency-when soap and a sink are not nearby.

Use a Hankie or Elbow

If you have to sneeze, do so into a hankie, Kleenex or your elbow. Do not sneeze into your hands. I remember going into a business meeting and the client sneezed into his hands and then went to shake mine. I was so grossed out and I could hardly think of anything else during that meeting.

I love handkerchiefs and try to keep one handy. Not only are they pretty, but washable so you can use them over and over again. To see my blog post on bringing back hankies, click here.

Do Not Touch Your Face

5. Don’t touch your face! My mother would always reprimand us if we touched our faces. “Use the back of your hand!”, she would say. If you nose itches, use the back of your hand. Has your hair fallen in your face? Push it away with the back of your hand. The front of your hands and fingernails are receptacles for bacteria. Most importantly, keep your fingers away from your mouth, nose and eyes.

Wipe Frequently Used Surfaces

6. Wipe down your frequently touched items. How often do you sanitize the steering wheel to your car? Your front door knob? Your computer keyboard? The surface of your cell phone?

Think of all the things you touch during the course of the day. If someone in our house is sick or has been sick, I wipe everything down with Clorox Disinfecting Wipes. In addition, I wash any and all bed linens, towels, and clothing used by the ill family member. My mom used to open all the windows and air out the house too to sweep the germs away.

Natural Remedies

7. This works for me. The MINUTE I feel stuffy, off, or run down, I take Oil of Oregano capsules. Oil of oregano is an antioxidant, it kills bacteria and has many other remedies. Not all Oil of Oregano is the same. It is extremely important that you make sure you take oil of oregano and not essential oil of oregano. Read the dosage carefully and get a high quality one.

Gaia was rated one of the best on the market (click here) and the one I use. Oil of oregano does comes in both capsules or a liquid with a dropper. I prefer the capsules because taking the liquid version straight (under the tongue and hold it there for as long as possible) is a bit brutal, but highly effective. Also, I always take this on a full stomach as it tends to repeat on an empty one.

Stay Hydrated

8. Stay hydrated. I am never very far away from a bottle or glass of water. It is a bit harder to keep hydrated during the winter vs. the summer, but make sure you get your fair share of H2O in daily. It really helps to flush things along.

I start each day with a big glass of water. It helps to fill a pitcher of water and add cucumber, lemons or strawberries to make it a little more exciting. At the end of the day, the pitcher should be empty.

Keep Moving

9. Exercise or just move. You don’t have to be a gym rat but keep moving. The human body is the only machine, that if not used, will break down. Even if you aren’t feeling well, attempt some stretches and walks. Being sedentary is the new smoking.

Personally, I take a Pilates class 2x a week and try to get to the gym 3 days a week. Weekends are for walks or bike rides. This is a scheduled daily appointment for ME on my calendar which I rarely cancel. Trust me, you will feel better both mentally and physically. When I don’t move, I get rather cranky and my body ends up hurting in the long run.

Get Your Zzzzs

10. Get a good night’s sleep. I have a reminder on my phone when it is time for me to go to bed. Generally it goes off about an hour before I want to be asleep. Having the same night time ritual gets my body ready to wind down.

Listening to a Calm bedtime story before bed puts me to sleep immediately. I prepare a cup of herbal tea (that has chamomile and other sleep inducing herbs) an hour or two before I go to bed (generally between 10:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.). Shed all the stresses of the day and get a good night’s rest.

Lastly, these recommendations are just that…..recommendations. You should always do your own research and/or consult with your physician. I do not have any chronic or underlying medical issues that interfere with any of the products mentioned above. Know your body and proceed carefully when taking any kind of supplement, herbs or medication.

Of course, there is always the debate on flu shot or no flu shot. Personally, I have never had a flu shot because I actively keep my immune system strong.

What do you do to keep healthy during the change of seasons? Please share your strategies for keeping well during the fall and winter months and over the holidays.

Stay healthy, my friends! You can make a difference in building your immune system.

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