10 Tips to Prevent Colds and Flu

Written by Cindy Graham
Don’t be caught with your defenses down:
Here we are in flu season again. Well, no worries, I’m going to share with you effective tips to stay cold and flu free!
10 Tips to Prevent Colds and Flu
1) Shoot for 8 hours of sleep each night. Studies show that 8+ hours of sleep each night supports immune health, and the hours before midnight are worth double.
2) Minimize or better yet, eliminate sweets, refined foods, dairy and caffeine as much as possible. Sugar and high glycemic foods greatly suppress the immune system and create a favorable environment for undesirable bacteria.
3) Eat lightly, finish eating by 6 pm to enable your body to be done digesting while you sleep. That way your body can put it’s full energy into healing and repairing all your organs and body systems.
4) Try to have your diet as close to 70% veggies as you can, especially fresh and in season.
5) Eat soups with bone broth, lots of veggies, and warming pungent herbs such as ginger, cayenne, garlic and onions.
6) Thump your thymus. It’s located about 2 ½ inches below the notch at the base of the throat. Pat with the pads of fingers for ½ a minute to 3 minutes each day to stimulate your immune system.
7) Epsom salt detox baths can be powerful prevention, using 1-2 cups Epsom salts, 2 tsp powdered ginger, and eucalyptus, lavender, or thyme essential oil. Stay in 20 minutes for your pores to open and toxins to be pulled out. Enjoy ginger or catnip tea before and during the bath to encourage your body to sweat out toxins.
8) Use supplements to support your immune system such as Vitamins C and D3, Elderberry, Red Clover tea, and colloidal or nano silver. If you have an autoimmune disorder these supplements are contraindicated. You can use astragalus, which is wonderful for the immune system but is safe with autoimmune disorders.
9) Drink lemon water upon waking, with stevia drops. (Stevita brand is made from the fresh pressed leaves which is much better than tinctures or alcohol based stevia supplements). Both lemon and stevia are very alkalizing and lemon is very cleansing and high in potassium, electrolytes and vitamin C.
10) Apply peppermint, eucalyptus, thyme and/or oregano essential oils to the neck and soles of feet to keep your immune system strong. All these oils except peppermint need to be diluted at approximately 1 drop per tsp of carrier oil.
Each of our bodies are unique and need different supplements to bring it back into balance. Consult with a natural health consultant to determine what supplements are best for your body.
Imagine a winter with not so much as a sniffle. How about a whole year?
Now you can begin these healthier lifestyle practices to keep you and your family feeling great all year round, and the best news is that all these practices are wonderful for over all health.
To learn more about staying healthy
contact Natural Health Asheville today
828.777.7678
Cindy Graham
Natural Health & Wellness Coach
Cindy Graham is a holistic health practitioner providing professional coaching and support to her clients in Asheville and throughout Western North Carolina. Specializing in several alternative health modalities, let Cindy guide you to nutritional wellness, emotional health, and optimal well-being.