It’s that time again! The holiday season and all that comes with it, but unfortunately that also includes cold and flu season. As someone who had the flu only twice in the last 15 years, there seems to be a pattern that I follow that has kept seasonal illness at bay for me (knock on wood…twice!). It’s a formula I put together for myself and when I follow these five mantras, I usually stay well through the beloved holiday season. Here’s my wellness segment that I did live on the Arizona Daily Mix on CW7Arizona and read below to see all the details about what I showed. This is a formula I put together for myself and when I follow these five mantras, I usually stay well through the beloved holiday season. Here’s my formula…and I use the word DREAM because the goal is to have a dreamy healthy holiday season, so following this pattern has helped me do that year after year…
My Wellness DREAM Routine Mantra
D – Destress – keep stress levels in check as much as humanly possible. In today’s times, it’s become ever harder to do, but oh so crucial! Cortisol will make you ill if it gets out of hand in your body.
R – Rest – get rest. Studies show that getting enough hours of sleep each night combined with trying to keep a consistent bedtime and rise time helps the body keep a strong immune system.
E – Eat well – we all know that can be challenging during the decadent holiday season. Maybe try a 80/20 ratio. So 20% of the time, you allow yourself to enjoy the pumpkin pie, tempting holiday candies, big gathering meals, etc. However keep eating your greens, fiber and protein macros the other 80% of the time. That’s how I get through the tempting holiday foods.
A – Active – exercise in what ever way you enjoy. It doesn’t have to be a gym. A nightly neighborhood walk, gardening or even dancing around your living room. Just move and keep moving. And don’t forget to do strength training, balancing exercises and stretching, which are so important as we age.
M – MD – see your doctor to get your annual physical and recommended treatments, vaccines, etc that fit your health profile to do all that you can to combat cold and flu season.
So I recommend following my DREAM routine AND having a wellness kit on hand before you get sick so if illness strikes, you’re ready without needing to run to the store.
My Wellness Kit
My kit always has the reliable go-to products made by Boiron, the world leader in homeopathic medicine. I love this brand so much that I got to travel to France to walk through the fields where some of the medicinal plants are grown that fuel a number of Boiron’s remedies.
I also visited the pristine Boiron international headquarters facility where the meds are made and I was SO impressed! 
Not only could you eat off the floors as it’s so pristine, but the amazing team that creates the homeopathic meds absolutely cherish their work. Each medicine type is carefully crafted from start to finish to give users the best, pure and most helpful homeopathic remedies on the market!
I was SO impressed with the Boiron facility in France!
My Favorite Boiron Homeopathic Meds
*Oscillococcinum – Hard to pronounce and even harder on the cold and flu! The trick to take these easy pellets that dissolve in the mouth at the onset of flu-like symptoms. 
Clinical studies have shown that taking Oscillo by Boiron at the beginning of symptoms that include body aches, headaches, fever, chills and fatigue can lessen the discomfort making Oscillo essential to have in your wellness kit!
*ColdCalm – Nothing more annoying than the constant runny nose that accompanies a seasonal cold so Boiron’s ColdCalm is another homeopathic medicine that can address cold symptoms as soon at they rear their ugly head! 
Easy to take non-drowsy tablets dissolve in the mouth and relieve sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion and minor sore throat pain.
*Chestal Honey Cough Syrup – And then there’s the pesky cough so having Boiron’s Chestal Honey Cough Syrup on hand is highly recommended!I love that it’s made with real acacia honey that coats and soothes the throat. Grab this to relieve wet, dry, barking, croupy and nighttime coughs and to loosen chest congestion.
*Boiron StressCalm – Recently I had several doctors tell me part of my multiple ailments that included unexplained all over body hives, oral shingles (yes you read that right!), a polyp on my vocal chords and pre-diabetes (all ugh) was partly due to my stress overload! What?! Really?! Yep, that cortisol overload can do a number on our bodies! So for the occasional stress I experience with life’s challenges, I will reach for a Boiron StressCalm tablet that easily dissolves under the tongue. 
helpful remedy is a blend of plant based ingredients that relieve tension, irritability, hypersensitivity and overall stress. My 81-yr-old mom really finds it helpful, too. So to stay strong during cold and flu season, reducing stress is important, which isn’t always easy during the busy holiday months.
*Claims based on traditional homeopathic practice, not accepted medical evidence. Not FDA evaluated.
My Favorite Food Picks For Seasonal Support
*Chicken Noodle Soup – Mom was right because chicken noodle soup not only does a soul good, but a sick body, too! 
That’s because the broth contains vitamins and minerals that hydrate and thin nasal passages to clear congestion in both the nose and throat. Homemade is best, but having a few cans on hand is especially helpful when illness strikes.
*An Apple A Day – It’s true! 
An apple a day may keep the doctor away as studies show that apples strengthen the immune system with a good dose of Vitamin C. Plus a little apple with cinnamon satisfies a sweet tooth and naturally cleans teeth so keep apples on hand with your chicken noodle soup.
*Olive Oil Not Just For Cooking – Olive oil is the gift that keeps on giving. In addition to it being heart healthy and a good oil for blood sugar, it also works great for the dry winter skin and lips that plague us. Simply dab some on your lips for a natural lip balm. It also works great for dry cuticles.
*Oatmeal – This staple not only works for a healthy breakfast but for eczema sufferers, pour a cupful of oatmeal (be sure to grind into a fine powder first) into a bath for a moisturizing soak that helps condition dry skin. Be sure to pair this practice with applying a good treatment lotion (I always used Aveeno for my daughter’s eczema) while skin is still damp, immediately after the bath. Aveeno also sells oatmeal eczema packets.
Must-Have Illness Tools To Have On Hand
*Tissue enhanced with lotion and/or Vicks – This product is a game changer and this type of tissue comes in many brands. When I use the lotion or Vick’s enhanced tissue, my nose don’t get near as dry compared to regular tissue. It’s such a good invention.
*A humidifier and thermometer – I know it sounds like common sense, but I can’t tell you how many times through the years I found myself under the weather without a fresh humidifier and working thermometer, so make sure you have both on hand.
What’s in your wellness kit? Share in the comments section because I love to hear other ideas and items to make my kit even better. Be well and happy holiday season everyone!
Managedmoms.com is proud to partner with Boiron to bring you this helpful healthy article.
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