It's that time of year again....colds, the flu, sickness everywhere. As you can tell from my post title, I have not been sick in over two years. Yes, really two whole years. It's possible for anyone. I give credit to three main reasons why...

1. I understand bacteria and viruses

2. I take exceptionally great care of myself

3. I'm proactive

All three of these can really blend together, so I'll just start right in...

I studied bacteria for four years. I tested it, looked at it, took pictures of it, played with it, gathered it, killed it, and everything in between. I know good and bacteria, how it travels, how we benefit from it, how we don't benefit from it. Bacteria is super cool, but it can be nasty at times. I understand what a virus is. I know how they operate. All viruses are bad, every single last one of them. A little bacteria doesn't hurt, but a virus can do some damage. Bacteria and viruses don't need a living organism to survive. They can survive on tables, railings, books, anything! This is pretty scary friends. One difference between them is how they reproduce. Bacteria can reproduce anywhere, viruses need a host cell to reproduce. These things spread through four basic ways of contact; the air, direct contact with bodily fluids of an infected person, direct contact with exposed objects, and a carrier host (such as a mosquito). Understanding what these organisms are and how they find their way to humans has probably been the number one reason why I haven't gotten sick in so long. Also, I want to throw in what I mean when I say 'sick.' I was pregnant last year and I had morning sickness a few times, this doesn't count. I also was in the hospital with my husband when I was 37 weeks along, stress was killing me and my immune system was way down, I had aches in my ears for a few days, but went to the doctor (I assumed it was an ear infection) and everything was fine. Fine as in I didn't have an infection, but I was given some antibiotics to fight off anything just in case there was something that was about to appear. And I've have the occasional headache too. But other than that I have been golden.

I am very smart about who I am around and when. There are certain people who are always sick with something during this time. I don't go anywhere near them. I understand a ton of people get sick during the fall and winter, but I don't like to be exposed to that. I have a very healthy immune system and I know my body could fight anything off really well, but who likes being sick? Not me. Most people will tell me if they have been sick lately, that's one good thing about living in the South, everyone tells you everything. I talk on the phone to a handful of people during the week and it's just something that always comes up, who is sick or was sick, who is in the hospital or was in the hospital, surgeries, kidney stones, you name it and we talk about it. So in other words, I know who to stay away from. Also, if anyone is planning on visiting or if I'm planning to visit someone, people are generally kind enough to let me know if they have had anything lately, that's always nice.

I take good care of myself. Well actually, I take great care of myself! My diet consists of mainly whole natural foods; vegetables, fruits, rice, and seafood. I take daily vitamins to help boost my immune system; A, C, D, and a multi-vitamin. Colds and flus generally attack someone with a weaker immune system. This could be a child, an elderly person, someone with a compromised immune system, or even just a normal adult who doesn't have a built up system. Of course healthy adults who have almost perfect immune responses can still get sick, but they are less likely to. So by having a well rounded, natural diet and by adding immune support through vitamins, I am able to stay healthy and on top of the game.

I am a firm believer in the power of hand washing. This is huge!! Our hands are the fastest means of getting sick. We touch everything and we always have our hands on our faces, so all that dirt and mess goes straight from a foreign place to the most vulnerable spot on our body. I try not to overuse soap and hand sanitizer because I don't want to wash away good flora, but I use it a pretty good amount. I have Bath and Body Works antibacterial gel all throughout my house. Literally in every single room. I also make Zak keep some at work, it's in both of our vehicles, in the diaper bag, and in my wallet. In my Microbiology class during college, we did a study on different brands of antibacterials to see which worked the best. We grew strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and several other types of bacteria on growth plates and then swabbed the different soaps and cleaners on them to see what would kill what. We found out that Bath and Body Works brand worked the best! Who would have thought? So they have been my go-to brand since then and they haven't let me down yet. I also use Lysol. I got rid of my Lysol when we made the switch to all-natural brand cleaners, but I had to get it back. That's my one exception. I spray everything; toilets, chairs, doorknobs, Zaylen's toys, appliances, furniture, books, and even Izzy. I am totally kidding about the dog part...Izzy is not a part of the spraying ritual. We don't wear shoes in the house and this helps cut down the amount of germs entering our home tremendously. I also clean the air in our home using air filters and essential oils. Gotta love my oils! I take being clean and having a clean home very seriously.

Overall I am proactive about not getting sick. My family and I don't go out to overcrowded functions around this time of year, we stay away from people we know have been sick, we use Lysol and wash our hands often, we all take immune supporting vitamins (even Zaylen), and we all feed our bodies with good food. I always think it's best to be proactive instead of reactive in every situation life gives us.

And while we are on the subject, I am totally against the flu shot. This shot is pushed on us more than any other shot, vaccine, or medicine. We are told we have to have it or we will get the flu. The news channels push it, our doctors push it, there are billboards and commercials pushing it. Please do the research and make an informed decision about this shot. Don't feel pressured and don't be intimidated by people who have a title. The flu shot is not 100% preventative. "The flu" virus has a new strain every single year. Parts of the virus evolve each season so that it doesn't go extinct. How do scientists know the coding of the new strain early enough to study it, develop a vaccine, get the vaccine approved, test it, make millions of vials of the vaccine, and have it at clinics and hospitals before the flu season starts? Oh wait, they don't. They go off last years strain and look at patterns from previous years. This is just another way for our poor healthcare system to put fear into peoples lives and to make money. I have never had a single flu shot and I have never had the flu. And I know of many, many people who have gotten the flu shot and had the flu that season. I'm not telling you what is best for you and your family, but I am strongly encouraging you to research the ingredients and the symptoms of this shot.

There you have it, the ways I've used to stay sick-free for over two years. Zak always gets sick from his kids around this time of year, but he hasn't gotten sick yet so I'm anxiously waiting to see how he makes it through this semester. Also, Zaylen is almost 7 months old and he hasn't gotten sick yet. The CDC averages that infant and small children will get a cold 10 to 15 times a year! A year! So I am exceptionally proud that my baby is over half way to his first birthday and hasn't caught anything. Something must be working for us. I hope each of you were able to take away something from what I had to share, and I pray we all have a clean, healthy, safe Fall and Winter!

If you have any immune supporting tips please feel free to share them with me :)


xoxo
Cursty