6 Winter Bug Busters.

I ended last year with a minor cough/cold and wanted to share the protocol I follow for recovery as I am noticing a number of people getting sick around me this time of year. I’m grateful for my ability to make a swift recovery and that I typically only catch one bug a year and usually it’s very minor with respect to the impact on my daily feeling and routine. While being a certified Health Coach, I will caveat this post with the fact that I am not a doctor.

Medication

I discovered Chestol from the Whole Foods Body Specialist and love this homeopathic product which utilizes a natural honey base without any artificial flavors or colors. Chestol has a pleasantly sweet flavor and is packed with antioxidants. No drowsy side effects with this bee. I do enjoy combining this with a Riccola drop every other hour to keep the cough at bay.

Supplements

Another goodie that I discovered from the Whole Foods Body Specialist is Source Naturals Wellness Formula. I originally picked this up for an international trip in case I got sick while away from home which didn’t end up happening. I broke the seal after feeling under the weather while at home and do feel that it made a difference. It’s packed with over 30 antioxidants, herbal extras, vitamins and minerals including Zinc, Selenium and Echinacea to name a few.

Topical

I’m a huge fan of essential oils and 21 Drops has an Immunity (#14) blend containing Rosewood for fortification, Eucalyptus for defense and Lavender for purification. I apply this to my temples, wrists, neck and underneath my nose every couple of hours. Besides benefiting from the essential oils, the combination smells fantastic and create an opportunity for me to take a few deep breaths throughout the day to get still and recover in a meditative way.

Nutrition

This is the period in which maintaining my healthy meals becomes even more important to ensure my body is getting nourishing things like vegetables. During this time I increase my bone broth intake to one hot cup daily to benefit from the immunity and detoxification boosting properties. My favorite store brands include Broth Baby here in the Bay Area and then EPIC Provisions which may be found at select Whole Foods locations in the city.

Exercise

When the severity is mild, I continue my normal CrossFit/lifting routine however taper the percentage output I’m applying to not push it too hard. I may opt to lift only on some days or knock down the intensity of the conditioning. Of course standard protocol of good hand washing and sanitation of equipment remain in effect to avoid spreading the bug. When the severity is high such as a fever or flu, I discontinue my routine and allow my body the necessary rest and recovery.

If you’re reading this post I imagine you might be suffering from an bug and wish you a swift recovery. I’d love to hear from you if you decide to try any of my possibilities to see how they went for you!

Last Updated: January 11, 2017