Basics (101)

Practical tips To Stay Healthy

Wash your hands

According to the Global Handwashing Organization, “Handwashing reduces the rate of respiratory infections by removing respiratory pathogens from hands and preventing them from entering the body or passing on to other people.” Respiratory infections are one of the leading causes of death in children under age 5, yet most of these deaths can be prevented by adequate hand washing. Evidence suggests that washing hands with soap after using the restroom can cut respiratory infections by up to 25%. Proper hand washing not only protects against respiratory infection, but can also protect against cold and flu by removing common viruses that are spread from coughs and sneezes. (1,2)

Young Living has multiple products to help keep your hands clean. Thieves Foaming hand soap is a plant-based formula that leaves your skin feeling clean, but not over-dried. Infused with essential oils like Lemon and Cinnamon Bark, this soap is gentle and is not filled with harsh chemicals like Triclosan. Thieves Hand Sanitizer is perfect when you are on the go and kills 99.9% of germs using a powerful plant-based formula and no harsh chemicals!

Sleep

When your body is running off little sleep, it makes fewer proteins that help fight infection and inflammation, these proteins are known as cytokines. Cytokines are made and released during sleep. This is why sleep is so important when you are feeling under the weather and trying to stay healthy. Sleep is a restorative act our bodies need to stay healthy and optimally functioning. (3)
Diffusing essential oils is a great way create an environment conducive to sleep and relaxation. Lavender, Peace and Calming, and Cedarwood all have relaxing aromas you can diffuse or apply to calm your mind and body before bedtime.

Stress Less

When we’re stressed, the immune system’s ability to fight off bacteria and viruses is reduced because stress hormones lower the number of white blood cells, which fight off foreign bodies. You may notice that everyone seems to get sick around finals week, this is because stress has a huge impact on your immune system! Make sure to take time for self-care and relaxation so you can fill your cup and stay healthy. Essential oils like Stress Away, Copaiba, Joy, and Northern Lights Black Spruce have aromas that can help you relax and unwind during stressful and hectic times.

Good Nutrition

Cut the sugar! Increased sugar suppresses your immune system. When you eat high amounts of sugar, your immune system’s ability to respond to challenges decreases and the effects last for several hours. So, if you eat sweets several times a day, your immune system may be continually disadvantaged. Focus on eating whole foods that are full of vitamins and minerals like vitamin C, E, and B to help your body protect itself!

Supplements

Optimal nutrition should ideally come from your diet, but sometimes we need to fill nutritional gaps or give our bodies extra support on top of the nutrients from our diet. Supplementing with extra Vitamin C, Vitamin D, and Zinc can give you the extra boost you may need! Try Supplements like Super C, Master Formula, and Immupro. We will talk more about these products and many others in the following posts.
What are your favorite practical tips to stay healthy?

Citations:

• https://globalhandwashing.org/about-handwashing/why-handwashing/health/
• Aiello, AE, Coulborn RM, Perez V, Larson EL. Effect of Hand Hygiene on Infectious Disease Risk in the Community Setting: A Meta-Analysis. Am J Pub Health, 2008; 98(8): 1372-81.
• https://www.sleepfoundation.org/articles/how-sleep-affects-your-immunity