How To Not Get Sick This Cold & Flu Season

Staying healthy and avoiding illness is a priority for everyone, especially in today’s fast-paced world, where we are constantly exposed to various pathogens. While it’s impossible to eliminate all risks, you can take several proactive steps to strengthen your immune system and reduce your chances of getting sick. Keep reading to discover how to not get sick this cold and flu season.

We all wonder how to avoid getting sick during cold and flu season! When everyone around us is coughing and sneezing, we want to know how to avoid catching whatever they have!

At least, that is what’s going through my mind.

It’s not a huge deal when you’re a kid and you get sick. You miss a few days of school. Your mom serves you meals in bed. You lie around all day until you start to feel better.

But when you’re an adult, it’s an entirely different situation. There isn’t anyone around to cook and serve you meals, and some of us still have to get up and go to work even when we’re sick.

It’s no fun, so I try to avoid getting sick at all costs.

One time, everyone in my house was sick with the flu, so I wore one of those hospital masks around the house every day, hoping I wouldn’t catch what they had.

True story.

But guess what? It didn’t work. But I was desperate, so it was worth a shot.

I used to get sick all the time. If someone ill even looked at me, I would catch it. I didn’t understand why until I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, and then it all began to make sense.

Over the years, I feel like I’ve become a bit of an expert on how to avoid getting sick. Since implementing the tips below, I have been able to be around people who were ill and completely avoid catching their illness.

In the past, that would have never happened.

So, with the cold and flu season fast approaching, I wanted to share all the ways I’ve been able to strengthen my immune system and avoid getting sick.

How to Not Get Sick

1 | Get Enough Sleep

Sleep deprivation suppresses immune system function. So, make sure you get enough sleep every night.

If you have sleep problems, I highly encourage you to read this post—10 Tips To Help You Fall Asleep, Stay Asleep, & Wake Up Feeling Awesome. I’ve struggled with my sleep since I was 12 years old, and I believe that played a significant role in my weakened immune system.

The post above contains all the methods and natural remedies that have completely transformed my sleep for the better.

2 | Stay Hydrated

Drinking plenty of water is great for your immune system. Water helps your body eliminate toxins and waste materials, enabling your immune system to fight infections better.

If you would like to learn more about the benefits of drinking water, read this post. And if you’re struggling to drink enough water every day, check out this post!

3 | Consume Probiotics

Bottle of probiotics on the kitchen counter.

Probiotics can help boost your immune system and provide many other health benefits. 70-80% of our entire immune system resides within the gut.

Probiotics help replenish the good bacteria that are often wiped out by consuming antibiotics and unhealthy foods—and we need good bacteria to keep our gut healthy.

A great way to consume probiotics is by eating fermented foods like sauerkraut, fermented carrots, or fermented jalapenos. An alternative to fermented foods is consuming a probiotic supplement.

I personally use and recommend probiotics from the brand Just Thrive. They work great, and they’re very affordable.

4 | Use Natural Hand Sanitizer

When we use antibacterial products, we destroy both the harmful and the beneficial bacteria, which actually does more harm to our health than good.

Not to mention, the FDA recommends avoiding antibacterial soaps.

I love this all-natural hand sanitizer spray made from essential oils. It’s paraben-free, SLS-free, BAC-free, cruelty-free, and free of lots of other yucky stuff.

5 | Eliminate Stress

The immune system’s ability to fight off antigens is reduced when stressed. So try your best to eliminate stress.

We can’t always control circumstances and situations in our lives, but we can control how we react to them. Try your best to manage your stress levels.

This stress relief essential oil roller blend is filled with relaxing essential oils. When I am feeling stressed, I like to roll it on my wrists and spine.

6 | Eat Healthy

Nutrition is essential for the health of your immune system. Do your best to eat more fruits and vegetables and avoid processed foods.

Drinking immune-boosting smoothies is a great way to stay healthy during the winter months. Check out this post—10 Immune Boosting Smoothies That Will Keep You Healthy All Year Long, for my favorite smoothie recipes!

7 | Take Vitamins

A bottle of beef liver supplement is on the kitchen counter.

If you struggle to get enough vitamins from your diet, I highly encourage you to take vitamin C, vitamin B (in the form of beef liver), and vitamin K.

These vitamins play a huge role in the health of your immune system. I take these vitamins daily, not just during the cold and flu season, because they have many other incredible benefits.

8 | Use Essential Oils

Essential oils can significantly impact your immune system. I use them in my home every day during the winter months. Read this post to learn all about the best essential oils for your immune system.

9 | Wash Your Hands

Wash your hands—but not with antibacterial soaps and not excessively. If you’re in a public place or around someone who is sick, make sure you wash your hands before you put them anywhere near your face.

Just be sure to use a mild soap that doesn’t contain too many harsh chemicals. I personally use Everyone Hand Soap. It is a plant-based, all-natural hand soap.

I also have a few homemade hand soap recipes you can check out below.

10 | Consume Elderberry Syrup

Consuming homemade elderberry syrup daily during the winter months is one way my family and I stay healthy and cold-free.