So far, 2018 has been kicking the Geoffrion family’s butt. Has anyone managed to escape the viruses flying around this winter? As soon as we think we’ve kicked one virus, another one comes along. If you follow me on instagram or know me, you know how addicted I am to soul cycle and working out. Well, I have been so run down that I literally have not been able to workout in almost a month. I am starting to lose my mind (along with my muscle tone).

Well, it’s time to get serious about getting better and staying better. Since I have been hauled up in bed for a couple days, I have been scouring the internet and pinterest for home remedies to get ourselves back to normal. And thanks to social media and our insta fam, I have had an outpouring of recs for how to do so! So, here are 10 things we are putting into effect TODAY to pull ourselves out of this 30 day virus rut. Here’s to hoping some of it works. Echinacea teas up!

Check back soon…

Echinacea tea

This has been a go to immune booster for me for a couple years. I swear, just one double echinacea tea and I start to feel on the up and up. I used to be more diligent about having one of these a day, even when I am feeling good, but you know life + kids get in the way sometimes. So, I am back on the echinacea wagon.

Lemon water

In full disclosure, this one does NOT taste good. I wish I had saved the video I took of Blake trying this for the first time. You would have thought I was feeding him lighter fluid. But we are pulling out all the stops so this is going back on our daily rotation. We will be starting our day with a glass of warm water or green tea + lemon + honey + Bragg raw apple cider vinegar + dash of cinnamon + fresh ginger.

5 Ways to Boost Your Immunity with Apple Cider Vinegar – Clean Eating Essential

No sugar

Sugar is bad for us. We know this. But it is especially bad for our immune systems. While we try to limit our sugar intake regularly, we are going to be taking the no sugar thing extra seriously.

6 Immune System Busters & Boosters – WedMD

No alcohol

It seems that as soon as I think I am better, I return to normal life, have a glass of wine and stay up a little too late and bam, the next virus starts. Turns out, alcohol suppresses the immune system. Sure, one little glass of wine probably does not affect your immune system, but until we are healthy and back on our feet for a couple weeks, we are taking it to the extreme and ditching even the tiniest glass of wine.

Ask the Diet Doctor: Alcohol and Immunity – Shape Magazine, Dr. Mike Roussell

Elderberry Syrup

Thanks to Meg McMillin (who swears by these drops, read more about them HERE), Elderberry drops seem to be keeping BB relatively healthy. Their immune boosting properties are endless. AND, they can even help reduce symptoms from the flu and respiratory infections. So, I am starting them too!

Elderberry Syrup Benefits – Livestrong.com

Sleep

This should go without saying, but the #1 most important thing for getting healthy and staying healthy is sleep. It seems like I always have an excuse for staying up too late or getting up too early, laundry to fold, friends to see, work to do, shows to watch. Sleep is going back on the priority list.

Bone Broth

Shockingly, to me at least, this was the #1 most recommended immune booster! I cannot believe how many of you reached out about trying bone broth. For whatever reason, this is something I have never tried. So today I will be endeavoring to make this for the first time. I was also shocked to see how long it takes, 12-24 hours! After a little digging, it seems like the most important thing to know here is to use grass fed bones, as they are anti-inflammatory while grain fed bones can be inflammatory. So now I am googling where I can buy 5 lbs of bones?!

Why Bone Broth is Good for You and How to Make it at Home – livestrong.com

Anti-inflammatory foods

It’s hard to restrict yourself to a certain “diet” when you’re not feeling well, but as best we can, we are trying to stick to an anti-inflammatory diet packed with vitamins and minerals.

Get moving

Exercise just helps everything. Obviously, if you’re in the midst of the flu, you are not going to be hitting the gym. But while you are well or as soon as you start to rebound, find the time to get moving and get those endorphins going. While getting back into my soul cycle routine may take a little time, as soon as I kick this fever I will be hitting the yoga mat.

Hydrate

Another one that should go without saying, but I have really been slacking in this department which is NOT helping me get better. So back to counting ounces and getting those 120+ oz in a day.

What other home remedies work for you!? Please, share. At this point, I am willing to try just about anything.