*I’m sharing #SwissHerbs in my life as part of a #Ricola sponsored series for Socialstars™.
It’s inevitable. When your kids go back to school they return home to you surrounded by a germ cloud. They can’t help it… they’re around 20-30 other students in one classroom all day long plus hundreds more in the cafeteria and at recess. Kids getting sick and catching colds is part of the school year and it just is what it is. But I don’t want any part of that.
As a stay-at-home parent I’m the primary caretaker during the day-to-day of kid-dom. When the kids come home from school it’s me that picks them up, gives them a snack, helps with the homework, takes them to practice and all the etc. During the 4-5 hours between school and bedtime I’m in constant contact. Constant, germy contact. Sure, they wash their hands immediately, but that doesn’t mean they weren’t putting their hands in their mouths or up their noses during the school day (trust me, they probably were). So, they’ll get sick. If I’m not careful, I’ll get sick.
If you’ve ever had to take care of someone else while you’re also sick (whether it be your kid, someone else’s kid, a parent, animal, etc) you’ll know it makes being sick a million times worse. You truly cannot rest. Add taking care of the household and holding down a job (whether at home or outside of the home) and you basically have zero time to feel less than 100%. So you do whatever you can to keep your immune system operating at warp speed.
My kids went back to school last week and since that time I’ve upped my game. I’m making sure I drink at least 8 glasses of water a day. This seems like it’d be the easiest thing but in reality it’s the hardest, especially when you’re used to chugging your first cup of coffee and nursing your second as you sit on your butt most of the day. To help I chug a big glass of water as soon as I wake up, another big glass when I get home from dropping the kids at school and then another at lunch. Getting all of that in before the afternoon hits makes it more do-able to get all 64oz. in plus when it’s early like that I won’t be up all night going to the bathroom.
I’m actually exercising, you guys. I walk every morning with a friend to not only get the blood pumping and my energy going but it’s also a great way for a stay-at-home parent to get some adult interaction. Vent sesh, if you will. When I get home I’m more awake and feel ready to tackle anything. Throughout the day I’m less stressed out and have more patience. Exercise and keeping your body in check is really good for the immune system.
Food is always going to be a challenge for me, but I’m adding some things to my diet that help support the immune system. I’ve been particularly fond of having a grapefruit in the morning before my walk. Not only is the Vitamin C excellent for the immune system but grapefruit amps up your metabolism.
Finally, before my walk but after my grapefruit I’m popping a Ricola Herbal Immunity. These lozenges use herbs, ginseng and vitamins B6, B12 and C to boost immunity strength and fight fatigue. Keeping the bod healthy will always help me to bring my A-game!
Ricola Herbal Immunity is available in two varieties – Honey Herb Lozenges and Citrus Herb Lozenges. They will be available early September in CVS, Walgreens, and Rite-Aid stores nationwide.
How do you keep your immunities up during back-to-school?
*I’m sharing #SwissHerbs in my life as part of a #Ricola sponsored series for Socialstars™. All opinions remain honest and my own. For more info on Ricola visit them on Facebook & Twitter.
My family always use Ricola in the winter time
Back to school is all germs!
Seriously though, BTS germs are no joke! Using these tips for sure.
Definitely not ready for cold season to return!
You know I don’t do sick! Schools are awful for germs! We drink Ningxia Red everyday to help boost our immune systems. Lawd knows I can’t afford to get sick!
Ricola are a godsend to me come cold and flu season! I take a lot of supplements during the winter because I get sick really easily (as does my youngest)