Photo Cred: wqad.com

Hello, Train Station family! How are we doing? I’ve been traveling a bit this month and it’s really made me aware that flu season is coming up fast! Today I wanted to share with you some tips for preventing illness (at home and while traveling) and some things that you can do if you’ve already gotten sick. Grab your Lysol, and let’s get started!

Prevention:

Photo Cred: yos.org

These are some things that you can do before you ever get sick. By adopting some of the practices below, you’ll reduce your chance of ever picking up the flu or another virus in the first place! Now, that’s what I’m talking about!

  1. Get your flu shot. If getting the flu shot will prevent the misery that is the flu, I’d say it’s worth it. Unless you have a medical reason for not getting a flu shot- just do it!
  2. Wash your hands. Often. The most important time to wash your hands is right before you eat so that you’re not exposing yourself to the bugs you’ve picked up throughout your day.
  3. Clean surfaces. At home, work, your car, etc. Stock up on disinfecting supplies to help you with this task. The more germ-free your environment, the more germ-free you will be as well.
  4. Carry hand sanitizer/wipes. I started packing disinfecting wipes in my carry-on for flying and I wipe down the arm rests and tray before the flight. A man across the aisle watched me wipe it down and said “That’s really smart”. He’s not wrong. HEB even sells smaller packs designed for travel. You can find those in the “Travel Size” section.
  5. Stay well-rested and manage stress. If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times: sleep is everything! Try your very best to get 8 or more hours of sleep to keep your immune system functioning at its peak during the flu season (and all year round for that matter).
  6. Vitamins/supplements known for their immune boosting potency: Vitamin C, Oil of Oregano, Black Elderberry Syrup. These are my faves that I rely on. When I travel I take oil of oregano and black elderberry syrup with me to consume regularly. Oil of Oregano isn’t meant to be taken on the reg, but you can add it in when you know you’ve been exposed to some germs or you first start to feel like something’s coming on. Feel free to take Vitamin C daily to fight off your everyday cooties that you’re exposed to.

Virus/Flu Mitigation:

Photo Cred: imaginebetterhealth.org

Well, shoot. You tried your best, but you still managed to catch a virus (or the flu). We all know that viral infections have to run their course, so here are some things that can help you feel better while you wait it out:

  1. Visit the doctor if you have flu-like symptoms. You might be a candidate for Tamiflu if you catch it early enough!
  2. Rest and stay at home. No, working from your laptop at home isn’t resting.
  3. Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water and fluids to keep you from getting dehydrated. The endless coughing and mouth-breathing that comes along with having a virus causes extra fluid loss. That’s why it’s so important to stay on top of your liquids when you’re sick! Here are some of my faves:
    1. Bone broth with lots of garlic (known for anti-viral properties. And keeping vampires away, obvi), and I also like to throw in a heavy sprinkle of adobo seasoning. It has a great flavor, but it also has some turmeric which is anti-inflammatory.
    2. Tea with lemon and honey. A classic go-to when you’re not feeling well!
    3. Ginger tea with honey. Very soothing on a sore throat! I sliced up raw ginger root while some water came to a boil on the stovetop. Once the water is boiling, turn the heat off, toss in the ginger, and cover the pot to let it sit for 5-7 minutes. Pour the ginger tea into your cup and add some honey. So good!
    4. Eat foods with high water content and be sure to load up on nutritious foods
    5. Smoothies can be a great way to get some nutrition without having to eat a whole lot (sometimes loss of appetite is an issue with being sick). The cold of the smoothie can also help soothe sore throats
  4. Quarantine yourself if you live with family. If possible sleep in a room by yourself to avoid spreading your virus. Plus, you and your partner won’t wake one another up throughout the night which is an added bonus.

Being sick is no fun, so if you follow some of the steps listed above, you might prevent illness in the first place! However, we’re only human, so sometimes we get sick. That’s where the flu/virus mitigation strategies come in handy. If there’s something I can do to prevent getting sick in the first place, I’m all about it. Who’s with me?!

What are some of your favorite at-home remedies for feeling better?