Sick Season Survival: Part 1
Food, Water, Sun.
The good news is, staying well can be easier than you think! It starts with 3 easy steps: water intake, eating whole foods, and getting sun time each day.
These 3 elements are critical in maintaining your health. At the beginning of the Covid pandemic, March 2020, my mom and I were in Spain when the country shut down and we were sent home immediately. The day we got home, she came down HARD with what I suspected to be Covid. Nobody knew anything about how to treat or care for Covid patients at the time and I received a lot of pressure and pushback to take her to be tested or go to the hospital. However, I knew in my gut that it would only take hard work and the basics at home to get her better.
Check out this post to see how I was her nurse drill sergeant and how she recovered.
Water
Water plays a much larger role than you would think. It clears out debris in the gastrointestinal tract, keeps the kidneys flowing smooth (which is the body’s filtration system), and keeps the organs and tissues supple. Keeping things like the lungs hydrated helps to move mucous up and out if you start to get an infection. Same thing with the nasal passageways. Why do you think every time you’re in the hospital they order IV fluids? 🙂
Hydration is the first step!
Set yourself up for success:
Get a water bottle that is easy for you to carry, but big enough to hold enough water. Make sure it has an exposed straw! You always drink more when there is a straw!
Some of my clients like this one. I prefer a metal insulated cup with 40 oz or more capacity…with a STRAW. (Did I mention you need a straw!?)
Whole Foods Matter
Although not many medical providers will admit it (or might lack the knowledge), more diseases than you would believe are rooted in the foods that enter our body. Inflammation is caused by foods that disrupt our gut lining and allow leakage of larger particles into the bloodstream and tissues. Illness and disease are caused by inflammation of any kind… Keep your eye out for access to my vitamin C tip sheet in following posts.
Protein heals the gut lining and provides a decrease in inflammation as well (given that you aren’t under the assumption that things like bacon should be consumed in excess to meet “protein”!). Things like roasted chicken, white fish, ground beef or turkey, and greek yogurt (if you tolerate it) can help to boost your immune system.
Food is the #1 influence on health.
If your diet is full of whole foods and a decent amount of protein, your inflammation will lower. With inflammation lower, your immune system is stronger. My advice would be to START NOW. Consciously incorporate vegetables into things like scrambled eggs, rice, or sandwiches. Little additions of spinach here, tomatoes there, and peas into your rice are just the start to improving the foods you choose and will love.
Check out one of my favorite food prep staples and the step-by-step instructions at the end of this post!
Sun Exposure
I’ve talked about vitamin D in the past, but it holds a ton of value when it comes to preventing illness! Not only does it help your hormones to function properly and build immunity, but getting sun exposure also improve mood, motivation, and mental capacity. This helps you to fight disease.
While caring for an elderly, sweet man in the hospital, he suddenly started to decline rather quickly. His oxygen needs doubled, then tripled. He was more lethargic and lost his appetite. The doctors were discussing moving him to the ICU…all over 12 hours. Turns out his family knew my family and reached out for help due to visitor restrictions.
I knew what to do! It was time to have a stern talk. I told him it was time to sit up. It was time to open his eyes. I opened the blinds in his room and told him “You have family who needs you at home. It’s time to put in the work and get better!”
…3 days later he was discharged home to his family.
Exposure to God’s natural light is by divine design to help us function optimally. Give yourself an added bonus by getting that exposure at the beginning of the day to set your circadian rhythm (your sleep/wake cycle).
Make your health your priority so you can be there for those in your life.
Start doing these 3, simple things each day and you will be prepared for the upcoming sick season!
I may be compensated for affiliate links. The opinions and preferences are entirely my own.