Find Fast Relief from Winter Flu

With flu season in flu swing, it doesn’t hurt to have a few tricks up your sleeve in case you get sick. The flu is caused by a virus so antibiotics won’t help. Fortunately, there are some natural remedies you can use to recover from the flu faster.

One of the most promising is the homeopathic remedy, Oscillococcinum. Clinical evidence is not yet conclusive when it comes to the use of Oscillococcinum, but early studies suggest that it can shorten the duration of the flu. People taking Oscillococcinum felt that it made a positive difference in their recovery.

If you find yourself hit with the flu, it’s a good idea to take immune boosting supplements. Vitamin C and zinc lozenges are both good bets when it comes to helping yourself recover from the flu. Some people also have good results with Echinacea and golden seal.

Fluids are very important when you’re sick… especially if you’re throwing up or have diarrhea. Keep a glass of water near by and sip on it all day long. You can also drink weak tea or juice if your stomach handles it.

Finally, the most important thing when it comes to getting over the flu faster is to get enough sleep. During sleep, your body is in its finest fighting form when it comes to illnesses. Getting more sleep helps your body to fight off the virus that’s make you sick.

When you are sick with the flu, give yourself a break. Stay home, sleep, and take care of yourself. Doing these things will help you recover faster and will keep you from making other people sick, too.

Stay well,
Heather Robwell

Super-Charge Your Immune System and Stay Healthy the Whole Winter Through

Have you ever known someone who never seems to get sick? The cold and flu season comes and everyone around them is sniffling and sneezing and miserable and they just breeze on through without even the smallest of coughs.

It's maddening, isn't it? Unless you're that person. The truth is, it's possible for you to be that person… if you just take good care of your immune system.

The secrets behind a super-charged immune system aren't groundbreaking. In fact, they're so simple it might surprise you. Here's what you need to do to make sure your immune system is at its best.

First, whatever workout routine you're doing, you need to add two things. At least once a week, do a shorter workout that's really vigorous. The high intensity exercise triggers white blood cell production and those white blood cells will help protect you from illness. Second, make one workout a week a de-stressing workout. Whether it's yoga, tai chi, or a fun dance workout, find something that calms you.

Second, make sure you get enough sleep every night. When you're sleeping, your body takes the opportunity to make repairs that will keep you healthy. If you skimp on the sleep, your immune system suffers.

Third, be more social. People involved in a range of social activities seem to have tougher immune systems. Scientists aren't sure why, but if you get out and socialize, you're less likely to develop a cold even when exposed to the virus.

Finally, wash your hands often. The most common way viruses get passed from one person to another is through the hands, whether directly or indirectly. Someone sneezes into their hand and then touches a doorknob and then you touch that doorknob and now you've got a cold virus riding around on your hand. Frequent hand washing helps prevent this kind of virus transfer.

Being sick is now fun, but with a few simple steps you can charge up your immune system and cut down on your exposure to the viruses that make so many people miserable during the winter months.

Stay well,
Meghan Krohn

Cold and Flu Season Coming Up Fast

It's time to get ready for the cold and flu season. There are plenty of ways to stay healthy during fall and winter months without getting a dreaded flu shot.

One of the most important is to wash your hands regularly. Unfortunately, hand washing is down according to a recent survey done by the Soap and Detergent Association. They found that 15% of people say they don't wash their hands after using the restroom—that's up from just 8% two years ago. More than a third of Americans don't wash their hands after they sneeze or cough or before eating. And almost half admitted that they spent fewer than 15 seconds on hand washing—it takes at least 20 seconds to do a good job.

Washing your hands is the most effective way to cut down on the spread of germs. Not only will you cut down on your own sick time, but good hand washing can help protect others from your germs as well.

Washing your hands regularly isn't the only thing you can do to prepare for cold and flu season. Now is the perfect time to reflect on your eating and exercise habits. Good nutrition and good fitness levels can strengthen your immune system, making you less likely to get sick.

In the event that you feel like you're coming down with something, there are supplements that can get you back on your feet before symptoms really get a foothold.

If it feels like you're coming down with a cold, trying taking some Echinacea with golden seal two or three times a day. The research on Echinacea is mixed, but there is plenty of anecdotal evidence suggesting it can help prevent a cold from forming or can help you recover faster.

If you've been exposed the flu, then oscillacoccinum is a great homeopathic remedy. New batches are created each year to respond to the most common flu viruses. This homeopathic can help your body respond rapidly and can keep your from getting sick.

If you get either a cold or the flu, trying taking some grapefruit seed extract each day. GSE, as it's known for short, is a good immune enhancer and reduce the time you spend feel sick. It's really bitter, though, so mix it with juice.

Staying healthy through the cold and flu season can make your holidays and your winter much more enjoyable.

Stay well,
Meghan Krohn