This conversation is sponsored by Sinex available at Walmart. All opinions are my own.
It’s possible to prepare for cold and flu season! Check out the following tips to make sure your family is ready for seasonal illnesses this year.
Cold and flu season has reared its ugly head once again. Before I became a mom, I admit that I didn’t do much to prepare for seasonal illnesses.
It wasn’t long into my motherhood journey that I realized it was absolutely essential to prepare my family for pesky illnesses during fall and winter.
I usually begin our prepping in October each year, and I make sure to continue our cold and flu preparedness through spring.
While there are many things you can do to be proactive in fighting colds and the flu, the following are simple ways you can prepare for cold and flu season today!
1. Build frequent hand washing into your family’s daily routine.
Some parents tell their kids to brush their teeth before bed. Others add in “wash your face”!
My kids know that each night they are to brush their teeth, wash their faces, and wash their hands before bed.
It almost goes without saying that we are teaching them to also wash their hands before and after meals, after using the restroom, and before doing any kind of meal prep. As well, I’m asking them to wash their hands before and after using the computer and after they come home from being out (whether it be out at school or an appointment or an extracurricular activity).
It’s important to remember that young children don’t automatically think about washing their hands the way adults do (or at least should do!). The way we build this lifelong habit in our children is by reminding them to wash their hands frequently now.
2. Carry hand sanitizer.
Although I don’t like to overuse hand sanitizer, I have no qualms about pulling it out and spritzing my hands and the hands of my children when soap and water is inaccessible.
This is especially important when we are on the go. We don’t always have time to use the restroom after gymnastics class, for example, so I pass my hand sanitizer around my mini van once we are all back inside and buckled up.
I keep hand sanitizer “on tap” in both my vehicle and in my purse and computer bag.
3. Take vitamins daily.
While I admit to sometimes slacking with my kids’ vitamin intake during the warmer months, I begin a vitamin regimen during the cold and flu season. I give my kids their vitamins every morning, and even my toddler now asks for them!
4. Keep cold and flu relievers on hand.
Most people don’t like to overdo medications (myself included!), but sometimes we have to take something to just make it through the day (or night). There is no shame in that! I’ve sadly been in the situation where I’ve been desperate for some kind of relief without a way to get to the store with little ones underfoot and my husband at work.
Our family has decided to keep some over-the-counter meds on hand just in case we ever need them. It’s like health or car insurance: The hope is that we will not need these medications, but it’s always best to be prepared!
Heads up: Right now you can save big on Sinex products at Walmart! Woot! Check out these three different ways to save:
- $1 off any Sinex product at Walmart – BrandSAVER coupon from the 10/28 newspaper
- $3 rebates on Sinex liquicaps, Sinex mist, and Sinex VapoCOOL at Walmart – iBotta offer starting 11/7
- $4 off Sinex products at Walmart through 11/10 when you combine offers
5. Emphasize good rest!
I’m a night owl, but it can bite me in more ways than one when I stay up too late and skimp on adequate rest.
Good rest boosts your immune system.
Even if you like to stay up late during the summer months, make it a priority to rest up during cold and flu season. Your body will thank you!!
Andrea
Love this post! It is so important to be prepared. In addition to being more careful about vitamins, we also are more careful about taking probiotics. Gut health is strongly linked to the immune system. I also try to work natural probiotics into our meal plan. We even make our own sauerkraut. Tasty and healthy!
Erin
Yes! That is such an awesome point, Andrea! I’ve been giving out toddler son kefir smoothies every morning–with more added probiotic, elderberry, and fish oil. I haven’t even braved making my own sauerkraut!
Grammyprepper
Up your vitamin C intake, with foods and/or supplements. Make sure you get some sunshine on the days it’s available, based on where you live. Make or obtain some elderberry syrup, thieve’s vinegar, other natural remedies and keep them on hand. Local honey is great for soothing coughs and sore throats, plus contains local pollen which can help soothe environmental allergies throughout the year! I could go on and on…Also, keep in mind that the popular flu drug drs. prescribe is based on star anise, which is more effective with less side effects. Unless a fever gets out of hand, let your body do it’s work.
Erin
Yes! These are all such great tips! Thank you!
Chonte
Go on! lol…This is very helpful!