9 Most Natural Ways to Prevent Cold and Flu and Stay Healthy

1. The number one way to catch a cold or flu is through direct contact. If you know someone who is sick, it is advisable to avoid direct contact with them, such as touching or kissing them.

2. Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue, then throw it away immediately. If you don’t have a tissue handy, cough or sneeze into the crook of your elbow, and whatever you do, don’t cough or sneeze into your hands. Germs stick to your hands like a magnet.

3. Wash your hands frequently and regularly for at least 15 seconds with mild soap and water. Do not touch your mucous membranes, such as your eyes, nose, and mouth, after touching people or objects that many other people come in contact with. According to the CDC, washing your hands is the best way to prevent disease and spread it.

4. Avoid stress as much as possible because it wears out our body and negatively affects our immune system. When our immune system is weakened, it opens our body up to attack by germs, viruses, and diseases. Try getting a massage to help reduce your stress, listen to music, try meditation and deep breathing, yoga, or have a laugh with some friends. Laughter is a wonderful way to reduce stress.

5. Exercise regularly because this helps release endorphins in our body which naturally help our immune system stay strong and healthy.

6. Get plenty of sleep and rest. Sleep is also an important factor in having a strong and healthy immune system. According to experts, the average person requires 7 to 9 hours of sleep. To help you get enough sleep, try to have a regular routine of going to bed and going to sleep at around the same time every day. Avoid caffeinated drinks, unhealthy snacks, and spicy foods close to bedtime; in fact, avoid unhealthy and processed foods at any time or meal. Stay away from electronic devices at least an hour before bed and that also means your smartphones or checking your emails. It will be there tomorrow.

7. Drink at least 8 glasses of water and fluids every day. You need to flush out toxins from your body and water is great for cleansing your entire body. Organic fruit juices are a good option to provide your body with additional vitamins and minerals. Try some mint water or mint tea. It works wonders to clear congestion and helps you breathe. Try taking some peppermint essential oil and put it on your temples or under your nose.

8. Be sure to eat a healthy, balanced diet, free of processed, sugary, fatty, high-calorie, or junk foods. Eat plenty of lean protein and locally grown or organic fruits and vegetables to ensure you get the proper nutrition for a healthy and strong immune system. Be sure to eat plenty of citrus fruits that are rich in vitamin C.

Try homemade bone broth. It is packed with so many essential vitamins and minerals that it is one of the healthiest foods you can eat.

Eat fish that are high in Omega-3s and plenty of leafy green vegetables. Garlic and onion are known to fight bacteria and viruses that can help prevent the common cold and flu. They also make many foods taste wonderfully delicious, so add as much garlic and onions as you can.

Studies have shown that eating organic or homemade yogurt with live probiotics can reduce your susceptibility to colds by 25 percent. Beneficial bacteria can help the immune system fight disease.

9. Make sure you get enough antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Taking vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E supplements can be very helpful and let’s not forget that powerful mineral zinc. It is very important for keeping cold and flu at bay because it is very good at fighting infections. If you do get sick, it can shorten the length of your illness, and because it helps destroy the virus in the back of your throat, your recovery time is greatly shortened.

With these 9 additional tips, you can stop cold and flu and keep yourself and your family healthy by living a healthy lifestyle and get through cold and flu season without worry or misery.