red pepper

My family came for a visit last week.  We were having a great time catching up, when it happened……

They ALL got the flu.  It started with my grandmother.  Next it hit my Dad, then my brother, followed by my Mom. YIKES!

As they headed home,  I couldn’t help but think to myself- “this health stuff WORKS. I didn’t get sick!”  Two days later I felt pretty tired.  I am usually full of energy so I knew something was off, but I drank a smoothie and took it easy.

My brother called the next day. Here’s a  snippet of our conversation:

Me: “I’m glad you’re feeling better. That was not good…”

Craig: “Yeah, it was like the plague..” (hehe)

Me: “I think I got the germs because my energy was low yesterday, but I supercharged myself with one of my smoothies”

Craig: “Um Dana,…. your smoothies are not going to stop this one.”

AND, he was right…

I  didn’t get the all out flu, but I did have a chills and fever kinda thing for a couple days.  Not fun.  Here’s what I did to get better:

1) Yoga nidra

This is the technical term for the deep relaxation part of a yoga class.  Sometimes while sick it’s hard to fall asleep. Doing a yoga nidra session (lying on the back consciously relaxing each muscle group) can help to relax the system and boost immunity.

2) Sleep

Nothing beats the healing effects of real sleep.  When I was sick, I gave myself full permission to sleep as much as I needed.

3) Drink lots of water and tea.

Here’s why.

4) Eat red peppers.

Red peppers are FULL of vitamin C- way more than oranges.  No kidding!

5) Echinacea

Echinacea works.  It is an  immune boosting all natural supplement.  I don’t take it daily, but I did take it when I was sick – 2 or 3 capsules three times a day and it helped.

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