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I would have never imagined using volcanoes as a way to explain to my 2.5 year old what it’s like to get sick. Last week, I was reading his alphabet book and the page with the letter V had a picture of a volcano. Thinking this was an excellent science opportunity, I showed him a National Geographic movie of volcanoes.
For days I heard his cute little voice, “‘Canos, mommy. Movie. Please?”
So when you’re little boy starts vomiting and turns to you with that confused look on his face because he doesn’t understand what is happening, naturally you say to him, “Oh, baby, you’re just sick with the flu—like a volcano.” Right? I wish I was that quick-witted! No, I only thought of this analogy after the fact.
(Note: The views expressed in this post are solely my opinion. The links in this post are affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy here.)
Hindsight is 20/20
Isn’t that true in how we normally react to getting sick? We forget about how we feel utterly miserable from the flu. All the coughing, the achy muscles, throbbing headaches, burning up with fever and to top it off—the volcano like rush of acid-laced vomit. Ugh! We’re reminded again; “If only we could have prevented this somehow in the first place!”
This was me last year. I was tired of the back-to-back sicknesses. We had bouts with hand-foot-and mouth and the stomach flu. Any mom can testify that it’s hard watching your kid get sick.
Moms, You Know What I Mean
That once vibrant bouncy two year old that enjoyed the excitement of erupting volcanoes and molten lava now stares right through to the deepest parts of your soul with anguish. He fixes his eyes upon you— looking and longing for you to rescue him from this misery.
He’s tired. You’re tired. Isn’t there some way to just. not. get. sick. to begin with?
After getting sick last year, I was tired, too. I got sick and emotionally it was so draining caring for my toddler day after day. I started to investigate ways to prepare for the flu and cold season and I decided we needed to focus on building our immunity. Well, that time of year is in full season and it didn’t sneak up on us. My family hasn’t been invincible, but…our story might be different than what you’d expect.
Our Flu Timeline
Monday, February 6
My little boy got sick Monday morning. He threw up four times.
Wednesday, February 7, 1:30 a.m.
The flu hit me. I went to bed Wednesday still feeling a little off.
Wednesday Night
The flu strikes my husband. He has a similar experience to me.
Meanwhile, Facebook and news feeds have been blowing up with stories of people getting hit with 3–5 days of sickness.
A Different Story
My son starts out with flu Monday morning—by bedtime he’s all better.
I got sick early Wednesday morning and woke up Thursday morning—100% better.
My husband was sick Wednesday night and ready to go back to work at 100% on Friday.
While everyone else is still miserable for 3–5 days—we fully recovered in a short 24 hours.
What’s my secret to avoid getting sick or limit the duration of a sickness?
(Note: The links in this post are affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy here.)
How to Avoid Getting Sick and Recover Quickly If You Do
Step 1 – Start a Basic Nutrition Supplement Plan
Our basic plan includes multivitamins, probiotics, and protein. (We were already doing this daily.)
Nutrition Basics (AFF)
My Husband’s Plan:
My Plan:
Our Son’s Plan:
Step 2 – Add an Immunity Builder
A month before cold and flu season started, generally when school started, we added an immunity builder. We chose Nutriferon. We started taking 2 per day then after a couple months we dropped it to 1 per day. I would crush up 1 Nutriferon for our son daily for the first 2 months, then I dropped it to every few days.
Step 3 – When You Get Sick, Have a Combat Plan!
Combat Plan for Sickness (AFF)
Performance – for dehydration, achy muscles. Hydrates better than water and is used by NASA.
Optiflora – 1 additional probiotic to increase good bacteria (my husband and I only)
Chewable Vitamin C – for cough and runny nose
Stomach Soothing Complex – for upset stomach either as a pill or crushed up as tea (my husband and I only).
Energizing Tea – for reducing inflammation and increasing energy (my husband and I only)
Meal Replacement Bar – protein for cell rebuilding, energy, and food when you don’t feel like eating!
Escaping the Flu
Is there a magic formula—to avoid getting sick? No, it’s impossible to know the exact time when a volcano is going to erupt, and likewise you aren’t invincible from getting sick. It makes a difference to have a plan because it determines the outcome. What I know is that since putting this immunity building plan into place—we’ve noticed a significant difference comparing ourselves to a year ago and to others’ experiences. We have not gotten sick with other illnesses and when we did get sick with the flu this past week, it was short lived.
Are You Tired of Getting Sick?
Would you like to make a plan to avoid getting sick, next time? I’ve got the plan you’re looking for and I can help get you started. Just click on the Contact Me on the right. —>
Interested in a Personalized Health Assessment?
I’ve got something free for you! It’s a free health assessment tool called HealthPrint. It will help you create a personalized healthy living plan customized to your goals—whether it’s immunity, having more energy, or weight loss.
(Note: The views expressed in this post are solely my opinion. The links in this post are affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy here.)
