This is a compensated post with Vicks. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
As it does every year, the cold weather brings sniffling and sneezing to my home. And once one of us brings it in, it’s inevitable that we will all be wiping noses and guzzling Vitamin C. With five people in our home, it’s so important that we learn how to stay healthy during cold & flu season.
This cold and flu season I’m partnering with Vicks as part of the Vicks Ambassador Network to provide timely content on what’s going on around us. And according to the CDC, cold and flu incidence is spiking in Texas right now (EEK – that explains the sniffling and sneezing over the last couple of weeks). Since my family does not get the flu shot (just a personal preference), we are always extra careful during flu season. But that doesn’t mean that we don’t occasionally get the sniffles. In fact, last week right before Christmas, my youngest son and my husband had it the worst and I felt terrible for them. And on Christmas Eve, we received a package from Vicks that included DayQuil and NyQuil Severe. It couldn’t have come at a better time for my husband.
When I’m sick, it’s nearly impossible for me to feel like myself. All I want to do is lay around, bundled up warm, and left alone. Thankfully most times that’s possible. For my husband, it’s not. His job requires that he be there regardless of how he’s feeling. And in the 12 years he’s been working there, he’s only used one sick day. When he’s feeling ill, he trusts brands like Vicks to help him power through his day. With DayQuil and NyQuil Severe containing maximum strength ingredients, it helps to relieve the worst cold and flu symptoms. Among over the counter flu and cold medicines, no other nighttime formula relieves more cold and flu symptoms than NyQuil Severe, and no other non-drowsy medicine relieves more cold and flu symptoms than DayQuil.
Although we occasionally pick up the cold bug (like they did last week), for the most part we are a very healthy family and I think it’s because we are diligent about our routines to make sure we aren’t picking up germs from outside sources.
How to Stay Healthy During Cold & Flu Season
Wash Your Hands. A lot. I can’t stress how important this is. Your hands touch everything. Simply by washing your hands as much as possible with soap and water for 20 seconds, you will remove the germs from your hands. Make sure to remember the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and underneath your fingernails.
Sanitize. My children take turns sanitizing the door knobs, light switches, refrigerator & freezer doors, banisters, etc. Anything that is touched on a daily basis is wiped with a sanitizing cloth frequently.
Eat Healthy. A healthy diet is important to overall health. Eat the colors of the rainbow and show your children that fruits and vegetables should always be included in each meal. If you teach them young, they are more likely to eat them when they’re older. People are always surprised that my children eat so many vegetables. I honestly think it’s because we started them so early on in their lives. Now it’s just like second nature to them.
Take Vitamins. In addition to eating healthy, take a daily multivitamin. I’m more diligent with my children with this part, but I know I should be taking one as well. I do take a daily Vitamin C and Vitamin D supplement, but I often forget about the multivitamin.
Rest. Make sure your body is getting the rest it needs each night. If your body is tired and worn down, it may be more vulnerable to an attack by germs or a virus. Try to get 8 hours of sleep each night.
Overall, my family is incredibly healthy. We’ve never had the flu (fingers crossed) and the occasional sniffs and sneezes we encounter are easily remedied by over the counter medications. I think it’s so important to teach our children how to properly wash their hands, eat a healthy diet, and keep a clean home. Not only is it teaching them life skills for the future, it keeps sickness out of the home as much as possible.
How do you stay healthy during cold & flu season?
Deanna @ mommyGAGA says
NyQuil is my GO TO. Keep it in the medicine cabinet and it sure does help with symptoms!
Stephanie Keeping says
We use NyQuil here. It’s the best. I also agree with you that eating healthier and taking vitamins will help a lot to staying healthy.
Wendy says
you know, its funny that we haven’t been sick since we started homeschooling, but then again, I do follow pretty much all the tips you provided! Great tips!
Liz Mays says
I try to get a lot of sleep, wash my hands frequently and never touch my face!
Digna D. says
Excellent, and very timely, post. We have been lucky so far. Usually my son brings something home from school no matter how much he tries but not this year so far.
Liz Mays says
That happened to us a lot too. Nyquil does help though!
LyndaS says
I wash my hands – a LOT! I also get plenty of rest. Here’s hoping for a healthy and happy New Year for you and your readers.
Sara P. (@SensiblySara) says
We use most of your tips to stay healthy during cold and flu season. Keeping things washed and clean is the biggest thing for us! But having the Quils on-hand is a must, too!
Shasta Walton says
These are great tips! I think hand washing has to be my biggest issue with the kids!
Ronni says
It seems since we moved to the desert, we do get sick less often. BUT, when the colds hit, they hit harder. We have to keep a humidifier running all winter to help with that. NyQuil is a life-saver for me for sure as well!
Chrysa says
I try to eat right and get a lot of sleep, but it didn’t work this year! I had the flu about a month ago and it was miserable. Nyquil definitely helped though!
Tammi @ My Organized Chaos says
After all of us getting sick over the holidays, I don’t want to go through that again! I’m trying anything and everything, I want a healthier 2015!
Scott says
I have chosen to just stay inside away from other people. See you in the Spring!
Avry says
Nyquil has gotten our family through many many rough nights! I am a firm believer in nyquil.
Valerie Remy-Milora says
Great tips! Because we don’t immunize either I make sure to feed my family foods that keep our immune systems strong… lots of dark leafy greens and vitamin C rich foods. We also drink a ton of water! Rest is a priority for all of us.
susan says
I make sure to drink lots of water… I am always washing my hands. Just in case, I make sure my home is stocked with what may be needed medicine wise.
Lena says
I can’t take it right now, since I am pregnant, but I wish I could – I would of being able to get rid of the sickies a lot sooner
Julie Cohn says
Love these tips! Knock on wood, I have not gotten sick yet this year, and I always get sick during Christmas break. I think the difference is that I got more rest this year and stressed less.
Ellen Christian says
Staying healthy is so important. I get extra sleep, drink plenty of water and take extra Vitamin C.
lisa says
I definitely agree with healthy eating, rest, and vitamins. Cleaning is a must in our house with the kids and animals!
Nicole H says
You forgot “Get your flu shot.” It may not be very effective this year, but it’s still important.
I use Mucinex for stuffy noses and Sudafed for sinus problems. Lots of handwashing and staying away from sick people.
Crystal says
I didn’t forget, Nicole — we don’t get the flu shot.
Robin Gagnon says
Rest is huge. When I don’t get enough sleep for awhile, that is usually when I catch a nasty cold.
valmg @ Mom Knows It All says
These are terrific tips. Also if I even think I’m starting to come down with something I drink lots of orange juice and lots of chicken broth.
Karen W says
OH boy, this is the fun time of the year. We try really hard to keep the germs out of here especially because my husband has cancer and is currently getting chemo. We don’t want the flu. The kids wash there hands all the time, we use hand sanitizer and I am always washing down things with Clorox wipes. They are my friend!
Raijean says
I just got over the flu, I wish I had these tips a few weeks ago.
Ashley S says
GOod tips! Always important to stay healthy around this time.
Donna says
I have to admit I’m a little more than nervous about the flu right now, especially since I live in Knoxville and it is the #1 city in the U.S. with the highest number of flu cases right now. We all got our flu shots back in Oct., wash our hands often, and try to avoid someone who we know is sick. So far so good, and I hope it stays that way. Great tips!
Anne - Mommy Has to Work says
All of the above are great tips. I’m big on hand washing. However I did just purchase Vicks Nyquil to get over this small cold I have.
Jesica H says
I had to laugh when I saw your post, because recently I accidently took Nyquil instead of Dayquil before heading off to work… That was a tough day! In my defense though it was the Natures Fusion brand and the bottle had honey in it so It was the color of the Dayquil stuff lol.
Colleen says
I just these products all the time I use the gel form, I’m not a fan of liquid.
Tammy says
We do the vitamin thing mostly – although I admit that moving to a warmer climate certainly has helped. We’ve not had near as many colds or sick bugs since we moved to Texas than what we had when we lived up North!
Marcie W. says
Both your husband and mine sound very similar when it comes to work ethic and calling in sick. What great guys and I am glad that we can provide them with a go-to solution thanks to Vicks products.
vanessa: BriteandBubbly says
I try to always make sure we practice keeping our hands clean to avoid getting sick and I always have Nyquil on hand when we do.