by Mila McManus, MD
From a health and wellness perspective, the best approach to cold and flu season is prevention, and we don’t mean with a flu shot! Anticipating the potential of getting a cold or the flu and preparing in advance is the best defensive strategy to prevent illness. You see, once you already have green mucus and a fever, it is difficult to use all-natural approaches to reverse or shorten the illness. It also increases the chances of needing an antibiotic. Unfortunately, antibiotics may help kill the infection but destroy favorable gut bacteria, damaging your immune system and gut barrier.
Anticipate
Anticipate the reality that you or someone in your family is likely to catch or spread some germs. Considering that, it is time to put together a winning game plan! Develop your strategy by considering what you can do for yourself and your family in your home and travels to reduce the likelihood of colds, flu, and other microbes pestering your life this winter. Consider the status of everyone’s immune function and current supplementation. What are the high-touch areas in the house, cars, and planes? Consider sheets and towels that can provide an environment for bacterial growth. How are the air circulation and humidity levels in your home? How self-aware are you of a scratchy throat, fatigue, or achiness?
Prepare
Now, implement your strategy!
- Optimize your serum vitamin D levels [Learn more here] and take a multivitamin, vitamin C [Learn more here], and zinc.
- Consider IV Nutrition to strengthen and vitalize your immune system. [Learn more here]
- Stock your medicine cabinet [Learn more here]
- Make sure you have a nebulizer, food-grade hydrogen peroxide [available at TWIHW], and extra face masks [Learn more here]
- Monitor the humidity in your house, and if it drops below 30%, keep a humidifier handy to reduce the time that allergens and illness-causing particles stay in the air.
- Have plenty of HVAC filters handy and change them more frequently.
- Plan to wash sheets and towels in hot water more frequently.
- Routinely wipe high-touch areas using vinegar, disinfecting essential oils or hydrogen peroxide.
- Make sure purses, cars, and travel bags all have a supply of hand sanitizer and tissues.
- Increase hand awareness! Wash with basic soap and water often. Don’t eat with them—use utensils. If a hand sanitizer is necessary, consider Doterra OnGuard Sanitizing Mist or EO [Everyone] hand sanitizers.
Prevent
Now that you are organized and prepared, pay close attention to your body and respond at the first sign of possible infection. Start a treatment regimen immediately if you have a scratchy throat, achy body, or fatigue. None of the treatment regimens listed above are harmful, but if you have contracted some germs and take action quickly, you may ward off a cold or the flu.
Be Prepared. Be Well
References:
https://www.healthline.com/health/tips-to-keep-your-home-clean-germ-free-this-winter
