I don't have a video for you this week. Unfortunately, I came down with a cold over the weekend and lost my voice for a few days. So, I am taking this as a sign from the Universe to slow down, take care of myself, rest, and recover. While I am at the end of the cold now, I'm still taking it easy.
I do my best to stay healthy and not get sick in the first place, but sometimes it happens. And when it does, at the top of my list (along with staying hydrated) for treatment of any illness is REST! And that means taking a break from working out. I'm so happy to have come to a place in my life that I am genuinely OK with skipping my work outs while I'm sick. I have zero guilt about taking off time from exercising.
This wasn't always the case though. It took me a long time to get here. I used to feel like a slug whenever I skipped a workout. I felt like everything I ate was immediately turning to fat & by the way, that never actually happened. I maintained my weight give or take a few pounds. Still there was always a sense of guilt for not keeping up my workouts.
I've since been able to let that go. I have compassion for myself. I now know that resting while I'm sick means that I am truly nurturing myself and speeding up my down time because I'm not pushing myself to keep going full speed when I feel like crap. Instead, I'm using that energy to heal my body. It's such a good feeling. It's so important to be in tune with your body and respect what it needs when it needs it.
And taking care of yourself this way when you're healthy is just as important. Prevention is key.
These are some things that I do to keep my family healthy through cold and flu season. By keeping your environment and body healthy you can fight off most illness.
- I make these Flu Busting Gummies from Wellness Mama and give them to my kids during the fall and winter to ward off illness (along with a multi-vitamin and probiotics). I think they really help boost their immunity. They will get a couple mild colds, but generally remain very healthy during cold & flu season. I also personally take astragalus root and my homemade flu shot recipe that I posted a while back when I feel the first twinge of sickness coming on. When you are in-tune with your body you can often stop a cold right in it's tracks.
- We continue to eat healthy, with lots of greens and veggies. I make warm comfort foods - soups and stews with homemade bone broth, roasted root veggies, and stuffed winter squash. I add pureed pumpkin, butternut or kabocha squash to mac and cheese or lasagna. I add greens in where ever I can. Maintaining healthy eating provides key vitamins and nutrients for your body to fight off illness.
- We keep moving with fun activities. My daughter does dance and gymnastics, which go throughout the year. She will also be trying skiing for the first time this winter. My son plays fall and spring travel baseball and snowboards through the winter. We also play in the snow, take hikes or walks whenever we can as a family & I maintain my yoga, lifting, and movement throughout the year.
- I use an essential oil diffuser with air cleansing oils like Thieves Blend which includes clove, lemon, cinnamon, eucalyptus, & rosemary. This blend can also be used as a spray disinfectant. WARNING: It is strong and will need to be diluted! I also open windows to get fresh air in whenever the weather permits - even if it's only for an hour a day.
These strategies have worked well for us. Your plan may look a little different. You need to find what works best for your family, but I hope these suggestions can help you to figure out how to keep yourself and family healthy when it seems like everyone is sick around you!
How do you stay healthy during cold & flu season? I want to hear from you! Post below & let me know 🙂
