I got knocked down with one of the gnarliest flus of all time a couple of weeks ago and I'm telling you: I regretted being so lax on my immunity this season. It's chills, it's aches, it's a relentless fever, sore throat and a deep chest cough. It's nothing you want so take it from me: boost up on your vitamins, keep your system clear and tend to your body.
1. Take your vitamins and consider an IV drip session.
I splurged on my [actual] life and got the cold and flu IV from the Hydration Room in Dana Point, CA. Check your area, you probably have an IV lounge near you. When I tell you I basically crawled into the clinic and left walking, I'm not kidding. It's truly the only thing that helped me turn the corner. The reason why an IV can be so much more effective is that according to Healthline, "A vitamin that's taken by mouth gets broken down in the stomach and digestive tract, and is limited on how much can be absorbed (50 percent). If, however, the vitamin is given through an IV, it's absorbed at a much higher percentage (90 percent)." So when you're sick, that extra 40% does wonders. There are also immunity booster IVs that would be worth starting the season off with!
If a liquid IV just seems a bit too intense or expensive for you, just make sure you're consistently taking your oral vitamins (and getting them through food, of course):
- Zinc
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin D
- Magnesium
- Potassium
- B-Complex
2. Eat tons of citrus fruits.
Or guava - if you can get your hands on it - which is 5x richer in vitamin C than an orange (which is why I created a skincare product with this powerhouse as the number one ingredient). We're in it for that vitamin C. This antioxidant is key for immunity and fighting free radicals. We need it, and nature gives it to us in full during flu season. Tangerines and many varieties of oranges are in bloom during the fall and winter. How cute is that?
3. Do a neti pot rinse daily.
Twice per day if you're a star. Water-flossing your nostrils will flush out any nasty little particles clinging to that mucus-membrane on the inside of your nose. I know, gross. That's why clearing it is key morning and night - or just one of the two. If you want to see how this works, watch some Youtube videos - it's personal.
4. Take 5 drops of oregano oil at some point everyday.
Let's just say, if you get oregano oil on your lips, it will burn. Good. That's how we know it's working. Aside from the physical assumption that is destroys anything it comes into contact with, it also has been called a natural antibiotic that has antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. So take that little dropper, add about five fiery drops to some water, a take a shot daily.
5. Manage your stress with meditation each day.
Stress is one of the leading causes of immune breakdown. What's one of the best and easiest ways to manage stress? Meditation. It's been studied time and time again and shown to lower our body's stress hormone production. Sit still a minute, breathe, and trust that you're healthier than you were before. I'm here to help with this, you know.
