7 Easy Ways to Help Your Family Stay Healthy Naturally

With cold and flu season approaching, the enterovirus 68 on the loose this year, and a nasty stomach bug going around schools all over the United States, it is getting harder and harder to keep germs at bay and our of our homes. Here’s what we are doing to in my home to try to prevent and fight off illnesses:

Wash hands frequently. This one is the most obvious, but it is super important. Hand washing is one of the best ways to avoid and eliminate germs. We aren’t into using hand sanitizers when soap and water are readily available. We keep hand sanitizers available for times when we are out of the home or unable to wash with soap and water, such as after using a shopping cart, or leaving a crowded public place.

Eat a well-balanced diet. Here’s the truth. Popcorn, cookies, cereal bars and other “treats” don’t fuel you, even if they might help with a bad mood. Good nutrition makes such a big difference in bolstering the immune system. Of course, this does not mean that we don’t don a treat now and then, but we try to get in our fruits and veggies too. Lean proteins, vegetables and fruits will fuel your body and help fight off infection. Don’t forget about spices either, as many of the items in your spice cabinet are known to have anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties.

Use essential oils. It probably comes as no surprise that my family is using essential oils to compliment our other strategies for staying healthy as they can help provide support for the body’s normal functions. In my house, we all use Thieves regularly. I also enjoy using Thieves oil, Lemon oil and honey together in a cup of green tea, and I use Cinnamon bark oil often in my water. My kids are also big fans of Peppermint oil and Eucalyptus oil applied topically to their skin with a carrier oil such as coconut oil.

Take a probiotic. Everyone who has spoken to me about health and wellness lately has heard me encourage them to be on a probiotic. Since somewhere around 75-80% of the immune system located in the stomach, it is absolutely vital to have a healthy gut. It is amazing how much a probiotic can mean to our overall wellness just by regulating our internal ecosystem. Every day I drink water with Lemon essential oil, Cinnamon essential oil, and my probiotic. My kids take a probiotic too!

Stock up on natural immune support. When you do get sick, it is important to have the right help for getting the illness through your system as quickly as possible. Personally, I am a fan of HerbPharm, because their products are gluten-free, non-GMO, and do not contain synthetic solvents. In my home we keep Super Echinacea, Black Elderberry, and Oregano Spirits on hand for times when we aren’t feeling well. We keep Oregano Essential Oil in the house too.

Get some sun. Sure, if you are not a fan of cold weather, sometimes in the dead of winter it is difficult to be outside for a long period of time. It is important to remember that vitamin D is tremendously important for strong bones and a healthy body. While there are supplements and fortified foods available, 80% to 90% of vitamin D that the body gets is obtained through exposure to sunlight.

Laugh a lot. As they say, laughter really is the best medicine. Studies show that people with a positive outlook are less likely to get sick. When they say that laughter is the best medicine, they might just be on to something!

What steps do you take to make your family a healthy family?

Disclosure: Already a customer of Herb Pharm, I was gifted three of my favorite products and was under no obligation (monetary or otherwise) to write about the product. I am a fan of Herb Pharm because they work tirelessly in their efforts for social responsibility and environmental stewardship. Additionally, Herb Pharm sponsors or donates a portion of our profits to a variety of national and local environmental, social and educational organizations. Also, please note that because essential oils are not evaluated by the FDA, they are not formally regulated to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any illness. To learn more about Young Living essential oils, click here.