Colds and Flu – 5 Steps to Protecting Yourself

Cold and flu germs are around us everywhere. In fact, unless you live in a bubble, they are unavoidable. Every time you touch or handle coins or dollar bills, door handles, elevators, pens and pencils, playgrounds, public places, etc, you're interacting with germs, picking them up with your fingers and spreading them around when touching your face and other things.

And if you happen to find yourself next to someone who already has a cold or flu and they're sneezing in your general direction, you're instantly bombarded with germs and bugs that can carry any number or viruses or infectious agents.

Does this mean there is no way to avoid catching a cold or getting the flu?

Not at all. Whether you get sick or not depends on the strength of your immune system and the state of your health. You see, it's not the germs, its what your body does with them.

And there are several things you can do to increase your chances of staying well and strengthening your immune system to allow your body to fight off germs and bacteria from the inside out. Here are a few of them:

1. Get enough sleep. Seven to eight hours every night is an appropriate number for most people.



2. Wash your hands often, especially after exposure to germs. Doctors recommend scrubbing for 30 seconds with hot water and soap. Antibacterial soap is not necessary as it contains chemicals and artificial fragrances and allows the germs to build up immunity to those chemicals, making you more susceptible in the long run!

However, washing hands with Thieves Foaming Hand Soap can be a big help. It is formulated with natural ingredients, including the power of Thieves, which has been university tested and found to be highly effective against bacteria. Germs and bacteria cannot develop immunity to Thieves Hand Soap as they can to other antibacterial hand soaps because the natural ingredients in Thieves Foaming Hand Soap are far too complex!

3. Carry Thieves Antimicrobial Spray with you wherever you go – Thieves® antimicrobial spray is ideal for use on door handles, toilet seats, and any surface that needs cleansing to protect from undesirable microorganisms as well as dust and mold. The handy pocket-sized bottle is perfect for traveling or keeping in your purse or backpack.



4. Take Vitamin C – Still one of your best defenses, especially in the winter when intake of fruits and vegetable tends to be lower than in the summer – but make sure you're taking a quality Vitamin C. One of the best Vitamin C supplements is Young Living Super C Dietary Supplement — It not only contains 2,166 percent of the recommended dietary intake of vitamin C per serving, but it also fortifies with rutin, citrus bioflavonoids, and minerals to enhance the effectiveness and absorption of vitamin C.* The essential oils that are added to this supplement may also increase bioflavonoid activity. This product helps normal immune and circulatory functions, strengthens connective tissues, and helps to promote overall health, vitality, and longevity.*



5. Strengthen your immune system – Many of us have bodies that are breading grounds for yeast and fungus, which lay the groundwork for easy infection by other germs and bugs. Young Living Inner Defense dietary supplement strengthens your body like no other by creating an unfriendly environment for yeast and fungus. This not only improves digestion and general immunity, but it also supports the respiratory system to help fight wintertime assaults and discomforts. Young Living’s powerful essential oils — including oregano, thyme, and Thieves® essential oil blend — are key components of this total system protection supplement.

For other supplements and essential oils that can help you boost your immunity, see: Immune Health

Don't forget to eat well and get regular exercise. Following these five steps and common sense will go a long way towards protecting yourself from cold and flu.