Hello! Today I’m working with Ricola® to share some tips on how I prepare for Cold and Flu season. I always joke that I am a hypochondriac – which I totally am, but I don’t like getting sick so I do take precautions to stay healthy around this time of year.
I’ve always been a big fan of Ricola cough drops since I feel like they really work (versus just feeling like I’m eating a candy when I have a cough)! They have a great variety of flavors and even a new product with B vitamins. Depending on my mood/needs I have used their OG cough drops, sugar free version and now I think I have a new favorite in their Revitalizing Drops.
First let’s talk about staying healthy during this germ-y time of year…
Tips to Stay Healthy During Cold and Flu Season
1. Eat right. Making sure your body is fueled up with healthy foods to keep the machine going! Cutting out entire food groups or eating an un-balanced diet can make your body work harder to think, move and stay healthy.
2. Vitamin C. This ties in with the above tip, but I think it’s important to stress – I try to eat a good amount of Vitamin C via foods on a daily basis. If I feel like I’m not getting enough I’ll take a supplement.
3. Get enough sleep. When I feel like I’m getting sick I load up on Vitamin C (either via a smoothie packed with tons of fruits & veggies or sip a Vitamin C drink) then I make sure to get a good night’s sleep. Most of the time this helps my immune system fight it off.
4.Flu shot. I got a flu shot a few weeks ago. Since I travel a lot I feel like this helps me avoid some of those flu germ-ies flying around.
5. Be diligent about washing your hands. This time of year we’re out shopping more and attending holiday parties – there just seems to be an increase of opportunities to be exposed to cold and flu germs. Make sure you wash wash wash to get ‘em off ya.
6. Ricola Revitalize with B Vitamins! The new Ricola Revitalizing Herb Drops have 20% of the suggest adult daily value of Vitamin B6 and B12! I am a big fan of taking a B vitamin over an energy drink (they are often just Bs and caffeine for tons of $$$) and this is a great option.
I need some of this B vitamin boost to help me unpack right now!
Follow #swissherbs on twitter for more tips and info on Ricola. And check out Ricola/Chrueterchraft for more info on their magical herbs!
Question: What is your favorite tip to avoid getting sick?
Did your parents have any good fixes?
Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Ricola Herb and Throat drops. All opinions are my own.
i swear by Zinc, 15 mg daily and up it to 50mg when I feel that scratchy throat, plus i eat fruits and veggies and try to get enough sleep, i am a hand washing freak
Girlfriend! Neti pot, sinus rinse! Do it do it.
I’ve been recovering from a bit of a cold myself and the horrible weather has not motivated me to get outside ;( I am finally getting back to the gym today for a treadmill workout and some strength training, yay!
I start popping extra vitamin c once it gets cold. I have 3 kids, so someone is always sick. Sleep! Sleep definitely helps. Which is the plan today: rest and sleep
Get enough sleep, eat well, take Vit. D and zinc!
5 miles logged in yesterday–speed work on the treadmill, then core work… 🙂
Drinks lots and lots of warm water.
I work for a hospital, so I am required to get a flu shot, granted I have no patient care, but would hate to get any of my coworkers/patients sick due to me not getting a flu shot.
I try to get my hydration up. I think that helps.
BTW,….Ben has been very obviously very absent lately. I hope you are ok..
Great tips Monica! Thanks!
Great advice
Ginger tea is especially helpful in stoking your body fire and boosting your immune system for the cold! Other than that, I hear Vitamin C is helpful.
Lots of vitamin C! One apple a day and lots of veggies!
Getting enough sleep and eating healthy are so key!
I also find it really hard to shake off a cold if I’m eating a lot of dairy, but maybe that’s just me.
Drinking lots of water and taking a multivitamin if you need to are also a good shout!
It’s not just you. I have suffered from sinus issues for years, even having surgery at one point. Reducing, and at times, totally cutting out dairy, is the #1 biggest factor in keeping it at bay.
I use hand sanitizer
Stay away from kids! Seriously, the only time I get sick is when I’m around kids. They are little germ incubators. ha ha
But washing hands is definitely number one. It’s amazing the things you touch and then forget to wash before eating something leads to tons of germs in your mouth. Gross..
I hardly ever get sick. I think it’s mostly because my parents were really lax with me being around sick people as a baby/small child so my immune system got really strong. But I think sleep is probably the most important thing. If you don’t get enough sleep you’re really more susceptible to getting sick.
Don’t stress about it either. Sometimes a little cold forces you to stop and sit still. =)
That’s funny about your parents. I was never freaky about my kids and they RARELY get sick!
I always say to people to wash your hands, I work in a hospital and have experienced first hand how quickly the flu can spread due to poor hand washing.