If you ask me what I’m grateful for, near the very top of my list is my family’s health. I mean that in the deeper sense that we are all healthy overall, but also in the fact that we all seem to have decent immune systems that tend to fight off most bugs. I can count on less than one hand the times Hailey has gotten sick in her three years and now that I’ve thrown that out there, I’m sure karma will be here to smack me in the face at any moment.
Before that happens though, here are some of the habits we stick to to help keep our immune systems strong, our house clean and sickness out of our lives as much as we can.
1. Eat real food. Veggies, proteins, healthy fats, bone broth and kombucha are the typical. This time of year there is no shortage of sweet treats around and while I’ll never say don’t indulge (I did take the sampler platter of pie at Thanksgiving), I am an advocate for the good-for-you foods to outweigh the less-than-good-for-you foods. Sugar causes inflammation in the body which can weaken the immune system, so I make sure to eat the foods that strengthen it as much as possible.
2. Wash hands. Groundbreaking suggestion, huh? But really, we wash our hands a lot around here. After the bathroom (obviously), before each meal, when we walk in the door. I talk out of both sides of my mouth when it comes to hand sanitizer. Overall, I’m not a fan. I think as a nation we are unnecessarily over-sanitized and it’s doing more harm than good (plus, it doesn’t kill the norovirus which is my #1 germ fear). However, I do keep a small bottle in my purse (hypocrite much?) in case we find ourselves in really germy situations (gas station bathrooms). However, 90% of the time I stick with good ol soap and water.
3. Take vitamins. I do not think vitamins are a substitute for eating healthy food, but I do think they help fill in the gaps and I ‘d like to give my immune system all the tools it could possibly need to stay strong. I’ve also been keeping this Shaklee Immunity on hand for David. I don’t take it while breastfeeding, but David has liked it for before flights or if he starts to feel a tickle in his throat. It fizzes into water like a more natural Airborne.
4. Drink a lot. Wine, yes, for heart health and sanity around the holidays of course, but also water and tea. I’m a big fan of tea for it’s cup-of-warmth feel, but also for it’s immune building properties. I keep Throat Coat and apple cider vinegar on hand at all times (in case a sore throat strikes) and have enjoyed the stomach soothing tea as an evening option.
5. Take off shoes. This is a relatively new development in my household and though I’m not a stickler about it, I find I’m really liking the idea of leaving shoes at the door, especially since Kaitlyn is crawling all over the place now. With David in hospitals and Hailey in preschool, I’m good with limiting the amount of shoes on our floors. Most days I even strip Hailey out of her clothes after school and put on a new outfit to keep preschool germs out of her bed.
Hailey knows this rule now and even made sure Minnie Mouse abides by it. I got a good giggle when I found this!
6. Keep things clean. I wouldn’t identify myself as a clean freak, but I do make sure I wipe down the hot-spot areas: countertops, door handles, light switches.
7. Sleep. Easier said than done with little ones in the house, right? Still, I try and do everything possible to prioritize sleep. Sometimes that means going to bed embarrassingly early or putting my to-do list on hold while I snag a cat nap while the girls are down. It makes a night and day difference in my ability to feel healthy and strong… and my grumpiness level.
What measures do you take to try and stay healthy during germ season?
I think exercise is also a great suggestion- plus it helps manage holiday stress!
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
yes yes yes to all of these!!! I always take my shoes off at the front door anywhere I go. I just think it’s gross that the shoes people wear outside everywhere wear them indoors. Yuck.
How old was H when she started taking vitamins? Brooklyn is a horribly picky eater (she ate bread and butter for dinner yesterday and pushed aside her roasted veggies and turkey…..), and I know she could use the extra nutrients!
Brittany Dixon says
Can’t blame a girl for loving bread and butter though right? 😉 H was 2ish when she started. I have friends with kids that take them (even younger than age 1) by crushing one up in applesauce, but we started around 2. Let me know if you want any info!
Lauren says
Chelsey, totally recommend Shaklee for the entire family! If the girls can chew food, they can chew the Incredivites. Another product that I think every person should be on is Shaklee’s probiotic. They are so tiny my daughter has been swallowing whole since she was really little, but you can also put in apple sauce, yogurt, etc. Totally recommend talking to Brittany about them! 🙂
Jen says
I love those Minnie shoes at the door…how cute!!
Christina says
Yes to taking shoes off at the door! And yes to changing kids when they get home from preschool/daycare, but I have to admit, I’m not always very good about this.
Brittany Dixon says
I let it go some days too because… ugh, more laundry! But then I hear news that someone has a stomach bug and it recommits me to stripping her down 😉
kat says
What do you use the apple cider vinegar for? I’m intrigued…
Brittany Dixon says
I love ACV! I don’t drink it as often as I used to, but it’s still my fav for helping thin out stuffiness (mucus- ew). Here’s a post that I wrote with more detail- http://www.ahealthysliceoflife.com/apple-cider-vinegar-what-you-need-to-know/
Joanna @Makingmine says
We do great with hand washing most of the time, but I need to add your tip and wash when we walk in the door! I’ve always got hand sanitizer stashed too!
Katerina says
Loving this post!
I am obsessed with apple cider vinegar. I take capsules daily for natural source potassium, but I don’t get sick when I’m consistent with them. My friends take them now to clear up their skin- it works big time!
I have to say I laughed out loud at the shoes… especially Minnie’s! 🙂 I’m a Canadian and it’s considered rude to leave your shoes on in the house. I get laughs in the States about it!
I can’t imagine the germs (let alone the constant cleaning and vacuuming!) or babies crawling around on shoe floors.. Great tips, here’s to healthy babies!
Heather says
My list looks a lot like yours! Granted, this time of year is always so hard with so many tasty (and not so healthy) treats floating around, making it twice as important to eat healthy when we can. We also use Essential Oils, so I’ve got a kid safe blend for my toddler when we think he’s getting sick, and an adult blend for my husband and I. The baby is too young for EO’s, so I’ve been stressing the importance of washing hands even more than usual to the boys in the house. 😉
Jackie says
Can you recommend a good antibacterial cleaner that is safe for kids and pets?
Brittany Dixon says
Hi Jackie! I wish I had a good one to recommend, but mine is honestly just one I snagged from Bath and Body Works on a whim. I’ve heard people have some luck with essential oil based ones, but I’m not educated enough on it to recommend it. Any readers care to weigh in?
Jackie says
Thanks!
Laura @FitMamaLove says
Seventh Generation and Method both have antibacterial cleaners that use Cleanwell, which is the only natural antibacterial cleaner. It’s made from thyme oil I believe. I keep the Seventh Generation wipes on hand always for quick cleanup.
Jackie says
Laura,
Thanks for the tip! A long time ago I had found the Method antibacterial spray. I loved it, but for whatever reason all the stores in Massachusetts (where I live) stopped carrying it. Oddly enough I checked into the Seventh Generation brand, and it appears that only whole foods carrys is and sure enough, the store near me doesn’t carry the antibaterial wipes!We apparently love our germs in the state of Massachusetts!
I will keep seraching!
Thanks
Liz @ I Heart Vegetables says
These are GREAT tips, and we’re trying to do this at our house, too! We just moved into an old house that honestly hadn’t been cleaned in a loooong time. So we bought a steam cleaner and we’ve been trying to sanitize every surface in the house!
Sagan says
Yes! Great points here. I would add that if you DO start feeling the sniffles coming on, THAT is when you should really step it up. If I feel like I’m starting to get sick, I’ll add plenty of lemon juice to my water for an added vitamin C boost (I don’t like the taste of orange juice), and try to take it a little bit easier and make sure I keep warm and wash my hands extra well. Stepping it up a notch can prevent a couple sneezes from turning into a full-blown cold.
Brittany Dixon says
Yes yes! Great point! If I feel a tickle, I attack with full force- garlic, ACV, tea, washing… love this.
Al says
Yup
1- handwashing
2- shoes off
3- change clothes after school if lots is going around.
4- allowed to nap ON TOP of a made bed (no getting in on case you can’t get clothes changed all the time like me). Use another cozy blanket that gets changed out and/or washed often.
5- eat well & vitamins to help fill in gaps – agreed.
6- sleep well!! Huge in my opinion
7- exercise
8- limit late nights out (for kids and parents)
9- be aware of what’s going around in terms of germs. I find certain people are suseptible to certain things. If your kid always seems to get the stomach bug than be extra diligent when it’s at a peak
10- not often is this talked about, but germs get into our bodies through nose, mouth and eyes very often …therefore…. do your best YL keep your hands and your kids hands out of mouth and away from face. THIS IS HUGE HUGE HUGE
11- recently getting into essential oils and am convinced (by my own data gathering) that it helps prevent, and shorten/lessens verity and duration.
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
All great suggestions! One I will add is a green smoothie a day. That seems to be helping us (at the moment).
Danica @ It's Progression says
I love these tips! Real food and lots of water are big ones for me, plus getting plenty of sleep every night!
Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries says
Great tips! I’m especially anal about eating real and nutritious foods, drinking lots of water, and getting enough sleep!
Brittany @ Delights and Delectables says
I always take my shoes off. I’m a germaphobe! LOL! I really need to try making bone broth!
julia says
I used to be a germaphobe but I have tried to reduce these fears in my life. also, i’m a scientist and there is lots of cool research about the importance of bacteria and germs! i thought you might find this article interesting: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/25/magazine/my-no-soap-no-shampoo-bacteria-rich-hygiene-experiment.html
there are tons more articles like this, but this was short one! a year or so ago there was a fascinating article in the Economist that mentioned research showing that kids born through vaginal delivery had stronger immune systems simply bc of all the bacteria and that gets rubbed on their whole body as they enter the world! (sorry if this is too graphic for the comment section!)
Brittany Dixon says
Not too graphic for me- so interesting! I’ve also heard kids have stronger immune systems when raised with a pet dog because of the extra germs around. Thank you so much for sharing!
Nicole @ Broken Road Creative says
This is a great post! Mine and my family’s health are a top priority for me too. I really try to avoid bleach, hand-sanitizer, etc., so I use many of the tips you mentioned. I needed reminding about the shoe though. 😮 And sleep!
Lauren says
Yes yes yes to your tips! I know essential oils are all the rage right now, and while I do love my on guard as a natural hand sanitizer (when we’re out and about and can’t wash hands), I also know our bodies need vitamins, minerals, and protein (among other things). So happy to have my Shaklee arsenal!! I can’t remember the last time my husband or I were sick, and so thankful it’s rare for C and when she does it goes so quickly. Also, have you tried Shaklee’s garlic? I swear by it!
Brittany Dixon says
Shaklee’s garlic is on my list to try because I’m a huge garlic fan, but I haven’t tried it yet. Ordering some this month! I usually chop a clove and suck on it when my throat gets a tickle. Hardcore 😉
Jenn Kelly says
My husband always gets sick after travel We’re going to have to pack a healthy kit for the next flight!