My grandma liked the saying, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." She meant it's much easier to stop a problem or illness from happening in the first place, than to stop or correct it after it's begun. She was absolutely right.
Here are a few tips for staying well this winter and beyond:
1. THE USUAL: Eat your fruits and veggies. Limit sugar. Stay hydrated. Sleep well. Exercise!
2. WASH YOUR HANDS: Soap and warm water are still the single best way to prevent the spread of germs.
3. HUMIDIFY: Viruses have a harder time surviving and replicating in moist air, and moist breathing passages have an easier time warding off germs. Run a cool mist humidifier in your home, being sure to clean it and change its filters regularly.
4. HOMEOPATHY: Take Vitamin C and D, plus organic elderberry syrup with raw local honey for general immune support each day.
What if, despite your best efforts, a cold or the flu finds its way to you?
1. SELF-QUARANTINE: If you're sick, stay home or limit your activities. The rest of us would prefer to love you from afar right now. You understand. If there's a sick person in your household, isolate them to their bedroom. The flu can survive up to 3 days on a couch - and that's really gross. The sick person should have their own bath towel and hand towel. Wipe down anything that's standing still with a good disinfectant, paying special attention to faucet handles, soap dispenser tops, the remote control, and phones.
2. FEVER HAS A PURPOSE: Elevated body temperature drives the immune system to act against invading viruses or bacteria. Many illness-causing microbes survive best at the body's normal temperature, and cannot reproduce in a hotter "climate." A growing body of research shows that letting fever run its course may reduce the length and severity of colds and flu. Mild fevers, while slightly uncomfortable, can be safely allowed to run. Fevers should be treated only if they are causing discomfort (usually above 102 degrees). However, a recent study in the journal Pediatrics showed that 89% of parents administered acetaminophen or ibuprofen before their child's fever reached 102 degrees. Whether you treat a fever or not, it's a good idea to keep a record of it. A fever's pattern can be useful to your doctor when making a diagnosis. It's important to precisely follow dosage instructions with small children, and never give aspirin to children or adolescents with fever.
3. WET SOCK TRICK - You need a pair of wool socks, a pair of regular socks, Breathe/RC essential oil plus a carrier oil (like coconut), ice water, and a very hot bath. Soak the regular pair of socks in ice water. Run just enough bathwater to cover your feet, with the hottest water you can handle. Soak your feet for a couple of minutes until they turn red. Put Breathe/RC on the bottom of your feet, using a carrier oil. Wring out the wet, icy socks and put them on. Now put on the woolen socks and go to sleep! You'll feel better in the morning - really!
4. HOMEOPATHY: Increase your intake of elderberry syrup and Vitamins C and D. Oscillococcinum is useful for treating flu symptoms. Add ginger to your tea, and throw some extra garlic in that chicken soup. You won't feel like running to the store, so be sure you have a bottle of Sweet's in your fridge. Stock up today at your favorite Sweet's retailer or our online store.
Wishing you good health this winter and always,
Team Sweet's