Every time I go grocery shopping, I hear people talking about how sick they’ve been. Recently, two women were talking and one said, “I’ve been on antibiotics three times since Christmas and I’m still sick.” Needless to say, I gave a wide berth. There are some things you can do to decrease your opportunities to become sick and include:
1. Wash your hands often. Duh, right but do you wash correctly? Do you wash between your fingers, backs of hands as well as palms and wrists? Between the fingers is especially important because moist, heat and dark is a breeding ground for bacteria. And, don’t touch your face, all you’re doing is transferring germs from your hands to your face.
2. Do you use hand sanitizer when you can’t wash? If so, rub your hands briskly; the heat will assist in making the sanitizer work more effectively. Sanitizer can be harsh but a good alternative is Gold Bond Ultimate Hand Sanitizer Moisturizer.
3. Change your bathroom hand towels daily. Especially if you have small children who, sometimes, don’t wash their hands as well as they should.
4. Boost your immune system by taking Sambucol, drinking elderberry juice or taking Echinacea.
5. Use tissues instead of handkerchiefs. Yes, handkerchiefs look prettier but they tend to retain germs; use tissues once and throw the germs away.
6. Drink lots of water; the rule of thumb is, take half your body weight and drink that amount of ounces of water per day. Flushing your body of toxins will help keep your healthy.
7. Exercise every day. It doesn’t have to be an hour at the gym but a fifteen minute walk will do wonders for your mental attitude as well as your body.
8. Get enough sleep even if it means you don’t get the housework done or the errands run. If you shortchange yourself in the sleep department, eventually, you’ll pay for it with illness.
9. Short term, smoking lowers the immune system and, long term, it causes more severe health problems. Avoid second hand smoke, whenever possible.
10. Eat a diet heavy in vegetables and fruits and less red meats. If you do snack, choose snacks that are healthful.
11. Make sure you have time, each day, for yourself. Do something that makes you happy and allows you time away from your normal circumstances or problems.
12. If you do work outside the home, if at all possible, please don’t go to work sick. There are bosses who would rather you go to work, no matter how sick, but all you’re doing is spreading germs and keeping the illness alive.
If you do feel like you’re coming down with a cold, or God forbid something worse, increase your vitamin C and zinc intake. It’s difficult to overdose on vitamin C because the overage is flushed out with urine. Cut down on sugar or cut it out entirely; sugar will compromise your immune system.
I’m hoping you’ll stay healthy so you can do those things you have to do as well as those things you want to do. A lot of good health is within your power but you have to make right choices for yourself and your family; go and be well.
“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” ~ Albert Einstein ~
Today’s Miracles ~ good health ~ right choices ~ elderberry juice ~ vitamin C ~ zinc ~ vegetables and fruits ~ sleep ~ water ~
Tammy, honey is great stuff; I've been eating it all my life.
Great advice!! We also love our honey!! All this good stuff definitely helps. .Thanks for this priceless list.. we all need it. winter isn't over yet! -Tammy
Lora, I need to drink more water too.
Mags, I feel the same about Sambucol and elderberry.
Lady Jane, including what people have commented.
Monkey, good idea.
Farm Girl, thanks for the info.
Lynne, a very wonderful world when someone waits on your hand and foot! -grin-
Quinn, I do likewise.
Debbie, LOVE that name and I wear gloves to church and don't take them off to shake hands.
Midlo, my house is cool and it keeps me healthy and I sleep better.
Fay, thanks for the Vit D reminder.
Debbie, you're welcome, thanks for visiting.
Gail, try hand made lye soap; some say it works wonders.
Jill, too true!
Glenda, great idea about the pillowcase. I only use hand sanitizer in the car and on the grocery carts.
Karen, especially if you have children or live on a farm.
Sparky, and I am so guilty of always poking!
Cyndi, I'm glad you're staying healthy…well done!
These are wonderful tips! We keep wet-wipes in the car and use them. Also the grocery store wipes on the carts handle.
My problem is keeping my hands away from my face but I am pretty healthy, have not been sick thanks goodness!
But then, am not really around a lot of people.
Good Health to you!
Smiles, Cyndi
At least you didn't give a wide "birth". [giggle]
Another top tip is don't go poking your fingers in your eyes or nose. That's a good way to get sick really quick.
Thanks for the tips. I didn't know we should change our towels DAILY. That's news to me.
Good post a couple of things I have been told by med professionals1) if you have a cold change your pillowcases daily because you will reinfect yourself due to nasal discharge, 2) don't over use and become OCD with hand sanitizer because you can actually destroy the good bacteria on your skin that God gave us emergency situation fine but hand washing is better!
And…wash your hands long enough – two rounds of singing happy birthday to you should do it.
Great advice! I use a moisturizing hand sanitizer instead of soap and water because I have eczema on my hands. Since adopting this practice my hands are much improved. I hope it's enough to keep illness away. So far, so good!
Great advice and suggestions. Thank you for sharing!
These are great suggestions, Sandra. There are a lot of people sick in the area where I live, also. Another good immune booster is vit. D. I take it in the winter to help with SAD. And I think it helps me stay well, too.
Thanks for another good post.
Blessings,
Fay
Wonderful advice, Sandra! Let me add my pet peeve about getting sick: It is winter time. DO NOT keep your thermostat on 75 and walk around in short sleeves and barefeet all winter. So many folks I know overheat their houses and are sick all the time. My thermostats stay between 64 and 67 degrees. We wear sweaters, long sleeve shirts, warm slippers and are rarely sick! Bet you don't have that problem(overheated house) at the farm 🙂 !
Don't you love it when people acknowlege their sickness and the fact that they just can't stay at home? We call them 'infectious martyrs'. Many are found in offices and churches. They like to cover their sneezes and coughs and then shake your hand. Our church takes a break from that in the sickness season, but some refuse. Ok, I'm finished.
Debbie
Good reminders! I also keep a nail brush at each sink, and use them routinely – and always when I come in from doing chores. Even though my nails are short, and even though I often wear work gloves, my nails seem to bring the barn into the house every time!
And stretch out like Levi and sing . . .
"What A Wonderful World " and believe it is TRUE!
I am so glad I am not in an office all day. You know the thing that was amazing to watch was my husband bought a good pro-biotic at the health food store and started taking it that day and by the end of the day his cough was almost gone. The man there told him that so often we treat the illness and don't strengthen the immune system. My husband went for being sicker than he has been in a long time to almost well in one day.
Amazing stuff,
Good suggestions all! Add to it, wearing a barrier mask if you are caring for sick family members.
All great words of wisdom!
Echinacea is a fabulous thing. I reach straight for it at the hint of a sniffle in the house!
this is really good!! thanks for sharing. 🙂 i'm gonna go drink some water now!