As the colder months roll in, many of us brace ourselves for the inevitable "sick season." Between the flu, colds, and other illnesses that seem to spread like wildfire, it's easy to feel a little overwhelmed. I don't know about you, but everyone in my household has been getting sick this winter—multiple times even. Normally, I catch whatever they have, but this year I’ve managed to stay healthy. I've cultivated a routine that focuses on strengthening my immune system, boosting my energy, and making sure my body and mind are in good shape! From taking supplements to getting sunshine on my face, here’s what I have been doing to stay healthy during this sick season.

1. Boosting Immunity with Supplements

First and foremost, I make an effort to support my body with a few key supplements. I try to keep it minimal because, due to my ADHD, I often forget to take them, and I generally don't enjoy taking a lot of supplements. While I believe that a healthy diet should always be the priority (and I do my best to maintain one), I find that incorporating a select few supplements helps fill in any gaps and boosts my immune system.

1. Greens

In the last 5 months I have been taking Terra Health Super Greens and I like them. I have also taken Organifi and Live It Up, and I love both of those as well (I like to switch things up every so often). Gut health has always been an issue for me, and I used to try any probiotic I could find. However, it wasn't until I started drinking greens first thing in the morning and then having my coffee (most mornings I wait 30 to 45 minutes after taking my greens before drinking my coffee) that I really noticed a difference. I haven't taken a probiotic supplement pill in years. Our immune system starts in our gut, and drinking greens has tremendously improved my gut health, which I believe has also positively impacted my immune health.

What I have added this winter:

I am not affiliated with Oranifi, I am a big fan of their products. I love their golden milk and drink it almost every night, often paired with my homemade marshmallows. I don’t take the supplements daily; I usually take the capsules when someone in my family is sick or when I haven't slept well and feel run down. I took the immunity packets with me during my trip to Colorado on the airplane, and they worked well. I think these two items are great to have on hand.

2. Sunshine

After I drink my greens, I head outside to feed the animals. I make it a point to look at the sun, close my eyes, and take a deep belly breath in and out. Even if the sun isn't shining and it's cold, I still try and point my face toward the sun. Throughout the winter months, I aim to get outside every day, even if it's just for a short walk or to sit in the sun for a few minutes. This practice not only boosts my immune system but also lifts my mood and helps me feel more grounded and connected to the world around me. When it gets really cold, I’ve learned to bundle up because being outside is still better than staying indoors.

3.Rebounding

My mini trampoline has been something I have really come to enjoy. And no, it is small enough that I do not pee my pants like I used to when I would jump with my kids on our big Trampoline. Rebounding, or jumping on a mini-trampoline, is one of my favorite exercises during the sick season—and here’s why: It’s fun, effective, and it really gets the lymphatic system moving. The gentle bouncing motion helps stimulate lymph flow, which supports the removal of toxins and strengthens my immune response and it wakes me up!

In addition to supporting the immune system, rebounding enhances circulation, boosts energy levels, and helps reduce stress. I aim to rebound for 10 to 15 minutes each day, and I love how it gets my blood flowing and lifts my spirits. I usually jump on the rebounder before going for a walk, when I'm feeling stressed, or in between weight training exercises. It’s also an excellent way to stay active without putting too much strain on the body, making it perfect for those times when you want to stay fit without overexerting yourself. I have a rebound video here and here if you want to check it out.

3. Adding weights to a workout routine

I used to be a cardio queen, running and teaching spin classes, and I never liked lifting weights. I would teach step classes that incorporated weights, which I actually enjoyed. But when those classes disappeared, I reverted to my cardio routines.

In recent years, I've really enjoyed the boot camp classes from Peloton, which combine cycling and weight training. My favorite YouTuber is Nourismovelove. In the last few months, I've started doing more weight training classes and even bought heavier weights. I've also been creating yoga sculpt videos and trying to attend other studio yoga sculpt classes.

I love that yoga with weights combines the mindfulness and flexibility of yoga with the strength-building benefits of weightlifting. It’s the perfect way to stay strong, increase muscle tone, and enhance circulation. Additionally, I appreciate that yoga with weights helps reduce stress—something that’s particularly important for staying healthy during the colder months.

Here is my latest sculpt video

4. Sweating it out

Sweating is a fantastic way to help your body release toxins, and I enjoy fitting sweat sessions into my routine, especially during cold and flu season! Whether I'm chilling in a sauna or hitting up a hot yoga class, the benefits of sweating are hard to ignore. I remember when I used to belong to a big gym, I loved using their sauna whenever I could. These days, I still make it a point to find hot yoga classes and drop in whenever my schedule allows. Even a spin class will get you sweaty. It’s such a great way to feel good and boost my health!

By taking a holistic approach to my health—focusing on supplements, green juice, rebounding, sunshine, yoga with weights, and sweating—I feel like it has been the formula to staying healthy in the midst of all the sick. I find that these practices not only support my immune system but also help me feel more energized, balanced, and ready to take on the day. I hope my tips can help you as well.

Stay healthy, stay strong, and remember to take time for yourself—your body will thank you for it!