flu

Staying healthy is tough enough, especially at the height of cold and flu season. But when heading out for holiday travel, the immune system needs to have the best support possible. I chatted with naturopath practitioner Dr. Holly Lucille about the important steps we should all take to keep germs at bay, and our bodies at their best.

Take Preventative Measures
Dr. Lucille's first piece of advice for cold and flu season? Don't get sick. By taking healthy precautions now, you're putting your body in the best position to stay healthy later. While vitamin C is "a sort of pedestrian vitamin that doesn’t have a lot of crazy bells, whistles, or claims," study after study has shown that it works. As a general recommendation, Dr. Lucille has her patients increase their vitamin C intake to 500 mg, twice daily. While Dr. Lucille believes in the power of cultured foods, she's also a proponent of taking a high-quality probiotic supplement since "89 percent of our immune system is driven by having good microflora in your gut."

Pack Right
Airplane travel and jet lag can wreak havoc on our systems. "People might look at you like you have the Bubonic plague," but if you're going to fly with a compromised immune system during cold and flu season, Dr. Lucille suggests wearing a surgical mask. Although it may seem a little silly, she said that those masks successfully "offer protection from people around you." If the mask is too much, staying hydrated is key to helping your body fight off germs in the recycled air. Dr. Lucille also explained that "the only time she ever uses melatonin is if someone is flying over time zones . . . small doses, even a milligram, can really help establish normal sleep patterns earlier."

Keep reading for one more of Dr. Lucille's tips to stay healthy this holiday season.

She's played a doctor on TV, but that's not the reason former Scrubs regular Sarah Chalke wants you to get a flu shot. The star of the upcoming How to Live With Your Parents (For the Rest of Your Life) is also a mother to 2-year-old son Charlie and is adamant about keeping him and other children healthy this Winter. It may sound early to be talking about the flu, but flu season typically starts in October, and it takes about two weeks for the vaccine to be effective. I spoke with Sarah about her involvement in the Faces of Influenza campaign and how she handles her son's vaccinations, and asked her to answer our Four Lil Questions.

LilSugar: Why did you choose to get involved in the Faces of Influenza campaign?
Sarah Chalke: I am a huge believer in the flu vaccine. I have had it every year and have never had the flu. My whole family gets it. I come from a long line of vaccinated Canadians, and so Charlie got a flu shot for the first time when he was 6 months old. It was always important to me and is even more important to me now, because the most important thing to me is keeping that lil nugget healthy and keeping myself healthy. I work with like 120 people and expose myself to so much, so it always has been important to me, and now even more so.

LilSugar: What is one of the biggest misconceptions about the flu?
SC: People don't always recognize how serious it can be, that there can be some serious complications from the flu and even death. People believe they'll be down for a few days and then be fine, and that's just not the case.

LilSugar: If you could tell families just one thing they needed to know about the flu shot, what would it be?
SC: If you're vaccinating your kid for the first time and they're between the ages of 6 months old and 8 years old, you need to give them two doses.

LilSugar: No one enjoys getting shots — parents or kids. How do you handle it when your son gets shots?
SC: Charlie actually came with me to get mine. It's not initially what I intended, but it ended up timing out that way and it ended up being great, because he saw that I got one too. [I said,] "You know what, buddy, I'm making my body stronger and it's just going to take two seconds, and then I'm going to be all done and my body's going to be so strong." When we went to go get his, I told him the same thing, and he said, "To make my body stronger!" He's a little guy and cried for two seconds and that's it. It's so quick and it's so easy and we bring in a little game or his favorite movie (Cars). Distraction and a quick treat and you're done!

Keep reading to see how Sarah answers our Four Lil Questions!

The seasons are changing, and with that we're welcoming cold and flu season to the mix. Even if you're able to stay healthy, your roommate might not be so lucky. Airborne viruses are quick to both catch and spread, so make sure to protect yourself at home. You might share a living room, but you shouldn't have to share a cold.

• Be a clean machine: Germs love to live on doorknobs and light switches. They also spend a lot of time on kitchen counters. These areas are essential to clean in order to get rid of bacteria. And water isn't enough! Use bleach or another antibacterial cleaner to keep germs at bay. Clorox wipes are a zero-hassle way to clean up quick without resenting your roommate.
• Display hand sanitizer wisely: Think about where you might need it, and that's exactly where you should put it. On bathroom sinks, in kitchens, and by the front door are all places you could use a sanitation burst. Using it before or after entering these spots will keep germs down to a minimum.
• Keep Kleenex handy: The more tissue is available, the less likely your roommate is to wipe germs on her hands, which later travel to furniture you both share. If you set up a box in common areas, such as on a coffee table in the living room, it will prompt the use of disposable tissues versus their sweater or hand.

See more tips for staying healthy after the break!

It starts with a few sniffles, a scratchy throat, or a nagging cough. Many times you don't think twice about it, either because you're too busy or you just hope it goes away soon. As soon as those telltale signs of an oncoming cold appear, follow these tips to encourage a speedy recovery.

1. Take zinc: When the sniffles strike, take zinc; it's been proven to shorten the life span of colds, as well as make symptoms less severe. The studies found that zinc only works when taken as soon as your cold symptoms begin, so hit the cold aisle as soon as you notice any rundown feelings.
2. Make rest a priority: You don't have to quarantine yourself, but you do have to rest. If you feel a cold coming on, don't just ignore it; revamp your schedule so your day includes plenty of rest. Whether that means canceling evening plans or foregoing the DVR for an earlier bedtime, make rest a priority.
3. Drink water and tea: Staying hydrated should be your top priority, but that doesn't mean you should reach for sugary sodas or dehydrating cocktails. Keep your water bottle full and drink some warming tea (try our recipes for cold-fighting ginger tea and sage tea for a cough) to hydrate and feel better.

Besides these three things, don't forget to exercise regularly (but not if you're too sick!); it helps build your immunity so you can cut colds short or prevent them from happening in the first place.

If you work in an office full of people, your chances of coming in contact with germs are that much higher. Arm yourself against colds, the flu, and stomach bugs with these essential tips.

1. Wash hands often and keep hand sanitizer on your desk.
2. Once a week disinfect the things you touch regularly including your keyboard, mouse, phone, pens, stapler, scissors, and even the outside of your reusable water bottle.
3. Avoid touching doorknobs, handles on bathroom stalls and faucets, the water cooler, coffee maker, and other commonly used work items. If you can't help it, be sure to wash your hands afterward.

Keep reading for five more ways to prevent getting sick at your job.

I started the New Year with a cold that has knocked me right off my feet. I was fine staying home for the midnight countdown, but what I'm not looking forward to is having to board a plane with this bad bug — traveling when you're sick is the worst! If you need to fly and are suffering from a cold, here are some survival tips to help alleviate the annoying symptoms associated with being sick.

• Sore throat: Before you get to the airport, gargle with warm salt water using 1/2 teaspoon of salt in one cup of warm water. Once you get to the airport, sip on hot tea or warm water sweetened with honey, which can help soothe an irritated throat. While on the plane, drink plenty of liquids and come prepared with hard candies or throat lozenges, which can be very soothing since they increase saliva production and help keep the throat moist.

Keep reading for more tips.

Whether it's allergies or a nasty cold, being congested sucks. It's hard to breathe, the sinus pressure is painful, and it can even affect your hearing. Blowing your nose offers some relief, but in cases where you're really stuffed up, it can be pretty futile. OTC medicines help dry out mucus but leave users feeling loopy, sleepy, and spaced out. What's left to do? The next time you're feeling all stuffed up, try one of these natural remedies — you'll be breathing free and clear!

• Steam it out: Whether it's a steam room, hot shower, or a makeshift steam bath over a bowl of hot water, steam helps to loosen mucus and relieve congestion from your nose and chest. Intensify the benefits with the addition of eucalyptus oil, a natural decongestant. Whatever method you use, slowly breathe in the steam for about five minutes and then try blowing your nose and/or coughing. This is usually enough time to break up and loosen the mucus in the body. To aid with sleep, use a humidifier; it helps add moisture to the air, which will thin out mucus in your nasal passages.
• Grab a neti pot: It might sound a little uncomfortable, but using a neti pot does wonders for relieving nasal congestion and pain — just ask any ear, nose, or throat doctor. Neti pots (in combination with a DIY saline solution) help end nasal congestion by thinning out mucus and built-up crusting in the nose; think of it as a form of nasal irrigation. Still not convinced? Check out these neti pot tips for beginners.

Keep reading for two more ideas after the break.

Modern technology makes it easier to transport our work to home, which can be a blessing when you wake up with a nasty cough but aren't sick enough to skip out on work. Here are a few tips to help you know when you should work from home or when you should take a sick day and rest.

Work from home if you have:

• Nasal congestion, headaches, sneezing, coughing, or a runny nose: Nothing is worse than sharing a desk with someone who is persistently coughing, sniffing, sneezing, and blowing their nose. Not only is the sound annoying, but it's repulsive to think that each time you cough or sneeze, you are potentially spreading your germs all around the room. If your energy levels are OK, work from home until your nose blowing and coughing calms down. Since you are the most contagious the first two days, make a point to stay home during this period as a courtesy to your colleagues. Keep in mind that if your cold has zapped your energy levels down to zero, give yourself a day or two to rest.

Find out when you should take a sick day.