It’s time for strategies:
- Wash Hands – soap works really well. Avoid drying products like Purell if you can. Use moisturizer to avoid cracked hands.
- Sleep: get as much sleep as you can. Our natural clocks are set for more sleep in the darker months, anyway. If you’re having trouble sleeping, we have products that can help. Call the office for more info.
- Exercise: adjust your routine. If you rely on warm weather to exercise, find a gym or do something at home. A treadmill, a yoga mat, a heavy bag, all can make a big difference!
- Vitamin D: take 2000 IU a day or more. Get your levels checked to make sure you’re dosing correctly.
- Drink plenty of water. Never more important than in the dry months.
- Zinc: for men, 30-50 mg a day, for women 15-30 mg a day. Men need more zinc for reproductive health
- Vitamin C: 1000-2000 milligrams a day. Some people experience loose stools at higher doses. Just back off a bit.
- Chicken Soup: homemade is best.
- Ginger Tea: a great natural antiviral. Peel and chop a two inch section and boil in two cups of water for a half hour. Strain off and serve with a little honey, lemon and cayenne pepper.
- Alkalol: A great old-time sinus rinse. Has saline like a neti pot rinse, but adds herbal extracts which make it more effective and pleasant, with a minty taste. Buy at Walgreens or CVS.
- Epsom Salt Bath: soak for 20 minutes in a hot bath with at least a pint of salts. Keep a washcloth and some cold water in a bowl to stay comfortable by dabbing your face. The bath soothes aching muscles and raises your core temperature, helping to boost your immune system and fight off the bug.