Common sense is your first, most important tool for staying healthy when all those around you may be coughing and sneezing!

So let’s begin there with these 3 basics:

Wash Your Hands

Use plain soap and water as antibacterial soaps create resistant bugs. (Hand sanitizers when you can’t wash are okay) This one tip alone can go a long way in protecting you since it decreases your chances of spreading a virus to yourself (through touching your mouth or nose) or to others. Of course coughing or sneezing into a tissue or your sleeve is also basic to avoid spreading the flu or a cold.

Stay warm

This is very important when fighting a cold or flu virus as bodily warmth increases the activity of your immune system. This is also why a low grade fever is your body’s way of fighting sickness and shouldn’t be immediately stopped. Getting into a warm bath and soaking is a great way to allow the warmth to penetrate your body.

Get Adequate Sleep and Rest

A fatigued body cannot fight viral invaders effectively! Your immune system is depressed when you’re tired.

Now to some tips you may not be aware of that can help your body’s immune system stay strong and protect you from the germs and viruses you will inevitably come in contact with:

Avoid Sugar and Processed Foods – Alkalize!

As I’ve mentioned before – sugar depresses your immune system – exactly what you DON’T want to do. You want to keep your pH balanced since disease, including viruses, cannot live in an oxygenated, alkaline environment! Using a green food like spirulina is a great way to alkalize. Spirulina also increases levels of antibodies in the mouth and nose where these viruses gain entrance!

Manage Stress and Stay in Joy

Stress is part of everyday life – when it becomes overwhelming and constant, it breaks down your body making it less able to fight off invaders. There are different techniques you can use – prayer and meditation are among the best and I recommend you practice them daily. Nehemiah 8:10 tells us that the joy of the Lord is our strength. Make it a point to practice an attitude of gratitude, laugh and smile and enjoy each day. Laughter all by itself is a powerful medicine.

Exercise and Stretch – Stay Active

Keeping your blood flowing, oxygenating your body and staying strong will go a long way to keeping you healthy even when those around you seem to be falling like flies! Exercise is a great stress reducer, increases your circulation, makes you sweat, which releases toxins, makes you breathe heavily so you take in plenty of oxygen and helps circulate lymphatic fluid moving toxins out of your body. In fact, some studies have shown that frequent, gentle rebounding (as little as 2-3 minutes 4 times a day) can halt the onset of a cold. The only caution is that if you feel tired or weak – don’t overdo it or push yourself. Listen to your body.

Stay Hydrated

Be sure to drink adequate clean water daily! I recommend one-half your body weight in ounces every day as a minimum. Water helps your body detoxify itself and helps alkalize your system.