Umm..how to not get sick before the wedding?

[SarahLovesJS]

This should probably be in hangout, but it is wedding related. I know Gypsy has posted about this before..any advice on not getting sick? Lots of orange juice or something? I kind of can''t drink that because it gives me acid reflux, but whatever. I am just feeling like I am emotionally and physically drained and it''s still 18 days out. Definitely going through a rough patch if you haven''t been able to tell already. At my wits end about a lot of the planning. I overdid it today and went shopping (which was great and all), but now I am even more physically exhausted and feeling kind of ill. Hopefully sleep will do the trick, but also looking for some ways to boost my immune system or something!

 

[CaliCushion]

i''m sure it''s not what you want to hear, but you need to take care of yourself!! Your body will wear itself down if you do not get enough sleep. Make sure that you are getting sleep. Moderate exercise is also a boost to the immune system....and your emotional health!

I know you don''t want orange juice, so what about green tea or yogurt? Both are great for your immune sysyem.

 

[mayachel]

Stay away from sick people!

zinc and magnesium, lots of sleep, healthy foods and water water water

 

[lauralu]

Hi Sarahlovesjs, I hear you! I am trying to figure out the same thing. I do know that getting sleep and making sure I am exercising to help with the stress is super important.

However, somedays it is easier said than done. I too am feeling the stress effecting my body.

June 14th is my day, it is coming so quickly now...

Good luck to you and i hope you figure out a way to find your balance to feeling good these last few weeks.

 

[Inanna]

I definitely agree that you should drink lots of water and green tea.

FI and I have been taking a liquid multi-vitamin called Nature's Plus Source of Life Liquid and the difference we both feel is amazing! The stuff is green goo, so you have to get over that, but it tastes pretty good... kind of like blueberries. FI is very prone to heartburn and acid reflux, and this vitamin has given him no problems whatsoever. I normally buy it online, but our local Vitamin Shoppe carries it and some other health food stores do as well.

 

[OUpearlgirl]

Take lots of Emergen-C! Linky

I love the stuff and it comes in several flavors.

 

[musey]

Rest and relaxation

A lot of people would tell you that it''s unavoidable. It''s not that you''ve caught something from a sick person, it''s not that you''re nutrient deficient... it''s that your body is stressed... whether you realize it or not. It can even just be mental stress that you don''t even realize you have. Your mind is a powerful thing... and can force you to slow down by making you sick, if it comes to that.

Anyway, if you''re not already planning on it, try to take a couple days off work right before the wedding. Make sure you have nothing on your plate for those couple of days so that you can simply REST. If things need to be done, find someone who can do them for you. You need a mental break at that point more than anything else.

In the end, if you do get sick, it''s not that big of a deal

I was sick a few days before the wedding... yeah, it sucked, but oh well. We''re still married!

 

[tropiqalkiwi]

I am so sorry you are feeling this way!

I would add vitamin e to the list. I read that vitamin c is good at building the immune system while vitamin e gets used once you are sick to help you heal. Just don''t over-do it, too much vitamin e in your system is really bad. Another good immune vitamin is zinc if you want to add that.

Are you drinking enough water? Dehydration does funny things to our body and sometimes I find I don''t even realize when I am thirsty - I tend to reach for sugary foods instead. Drinking enough water might help your body repair itself and bring you more energy.

My next question is about whether you eat meat or not. I''m not a true vegetarian but I don''t eat red meat and have found iron pills to do wonders for my energy levels. So if you think you might be anemic try some low dose iron pills.

Exercise wise, do you do yoga at all? When I''m stressed sometimes even a good nights sleep doesn''t revive me enough, I still wake up feeling drained. Yoga is sooo good for this. If you just center yourself and try to clear your mind while moving your body it can really help. A fun pose is legs up the wall. You lay your back down on the floor and put your bottom against a wall with your legs going straight up resting on the wall. Stay here for several minutes and just breathe focusing on relaxing all your muscles. If you aren''t into the movements, just a few minutes focusing on your breathing could be good.

I am not a doctor and all this advice is simply personal experience I thought might be helpful.

 

[Sparkalicious]

Ugh ... I know that it must be starting to wear on you more as you get closer to the date!!

Try and get lots of sleep and drink lots of water to purify your system and to keep up your natural defenses ... If that fails - try taking a vitamin supplement. B complex is good for stress and/or a standard multi-vitamin should help replenish any deficiencies you might be experiencing and this should help ward off illness and give you lots of energy!

 

[cocolaw]

sleep and water, and no alcohol until the wedding!!!

 

[jstarfireb]

Some people swear by Vitamin C, zinc, or echinacea. Personally I don't think they help that much, but there's probably no harm in it. The best advice would be to get plenty of sleep and try to keep your stress level down...probably also the hardest advice to follow in the weeks leading up to a wedding!

 

[AmberGretchen]

I swear by as many fruits and veggies as I can tolerate, and tons of water - it really does make a difference!!

 

[Gypsy]

My doctor recommends high levels of Omega Three Fatty stuff... from Trader Joes he says is really good, and Costco's is okay as well. I'm sorry you are feeling so run down.

Other than that. REST EVERYDAY. Just schedule time 2-3 hours to just relax. REALLY relax. And get as much sleep as you can. LOTS of liquids (no caffiene or alcohol) and doing things you enjoy. Walks, reading... low key stuff that engages your mind and forces you to break out of the stress.

 

[Haven]

And don''t underestimate the power of positive thinking! Drink lots of water, eat healthy, sleep well, and think good thoughts! Here''s dust that you''ll feel fabulous!

 

[kama_s]

Date: 6/2/2009 11:55:05 AM
Author: musey
Rest and relaxation

A lot of people would tell you that it''s unavoidable. It''s not that you''ve caught something from a sick person, it''s not that you''re nutrient deficient... it''s that your body is stressed... whether you realize it or not. It can even just be mental stress that you don''t even realize you have. Your mind is a powerful thing... and can force you to slow down by making you sick, if it comes to that.

That is me, right now. I didn''t even think I was THAT stressed. But my body has been out of whack for the past 2 days. I slept for 12 hours last night. I didn''t even do that after I defended my thesis.

I''m sleeping, eating lots of fruits and veggies, take my supplements religiously, exercize for over an hour everyday...and I''m still falling sick.

Sarah, we''ll get through this wedding thing together!!

 

[SarahLovesJS]

Just wanted to say thank you everyone! I am feeling a bit better today, or at least I was..but I just spent the last hour arguing with my short term plan insurance company over the phone.

So annoying.

Relaxation time!

ETA: Yes Kama we will!!! And my poor Mom/MOH, too. She's really annoyed as well! But we can do it! Almost there!

 

[Diamond Confused]

Skip the expensive vitamins - they won''t do anything in a short period of times. They are only effective when taken over time.

Do however get a lot of rest, sleep with a humidifier, drink a lot of water and DO NOT touch your face without washing your hands first. It is the number one way to get a cold so wash wash wash wash your hands.

 

[marchswallowbird]

The best way to boost your immune system is to do what the other girls have suggested...get enough sleep, eat healthy, drink lots of water, exercise, and wash your hands a LOT.

Re: being overwhelmed with the planning...the best-planned wedding won''t go well if the bride is sick! Do you have things you''re planning that you can let go of? Either not have them (are they THAT important?) or can others help you accomplish them? It sounds like the #1 thing you need to do is reduce your stress levels!

 

[mayachel]

Date: 6/2/2009 3:46:38 PM
Author: Diamond Confused
DO NOT touch your face without washing your hands first. It is the number one way to get a cold so wash wash wash wash your hands.

Excellent advice! I am constantly reminding myself to stop rubbing my eyes, I swear it''s the cause 99% of the time I catch something.

 

[laurenfischer5]

I actually got really sick the week before my wedding. I had a sore throat and body aches (My wedding was in January) and I completely lost my voice... I had to get two steroid shots in my hips. It hurt so bad but within 24 hours I felt 100% better. A few days after that I got married and felt wonderful. So I don''t know how to prevent getting sick (besides vitamins and orange juice, lol..) But if you start to feel bad, go to the doctor asap..!

 

[SarahLovesJS]

Definitely good tips about the water, rest, etc...and the touching the face! I am always trying to remind myself not to do that as well. I do wash my hands a lot though, that is good. I also don''t eat if I haven''t washed/cleaned my hands. Marchswallow..unfortunately..the answer is no at this point.

I mean my Mom is taking as much as she can to do, my Grandma is helping as much as she can, FI is busy with work,..and well no one else cares pretty much. I mean some of my friends are trying to help with some of the ceremony planning, DIY projects, etc. But all the little things I am probably going to have to do w/ my Mom''s help and FI''s help (e.g. our final song list - this is pretty close to done though). Yeah..I am definitely trying to reduce the stress level. I tried to vent a lot to FI tonight and that helped some..he is at least trying to understand what I am going through and he does mostly. I am just trying not to feel so hurt/resentful over the way some things have played out.

How do you just stop feeling hurt over something? I guess I just need to like someone said earlier concentrate on the happy and exciting things and move on. Thanks again everyone..I really do appreciate it, I don''t want to end up sick it would really suck.

 

[doodle]

I hear these work wonders...tehehehehe!

 

[SarahLovesJS]

Lololol!

Where can I get one of those?! I''ll give it to FI as a wedding present!

No joke..I did get him a gag wedding present. A plunger w/ a crystal handle from Target. Woohoo!

 

[doodle]

BWAHAHA, that''s awesome! love that idea!

now for the germ proofing... ::googles hazmat suits for prices::

::googles beekeeper suits instead:: on second thought, go this route...

 

[ozsparkle]

Im so sorry your are feeling this way. The best things to do are all the things everyone has said... eat well, rest, exercise, multivitamins, and surround yourself with people who nurture you emotionally and can help share the load when you are feeling stressed. And dont sweat the small stuff- allow yourself to enjoy this special time in your life- the lead up to an amazing day for you and your fiancee.

 

[Dannielle]

* Multi-Vitamin
* Vitamin C
* Plenty of water
* Plenty of sleep
* Try not to stress out- anxiety always makes me sick!

 

[annadragon]

Vitamin C isn''t going to do crapola for you, nor is drinking a boatload of Vit C juices either.
Wash your hands religiously to avoid picking up any ickies. If you are going to take a vitamin supplement take Vitamin D, 1000IU/day or more. It is a fat soluble vitamin so take it with a meal. 1000IU isn''t a high dose. See abstract quoted below for reference.
If you start to feel under the weather as opposed to stress do not exercise strenuously for a few days, this can actually worsen and hasten whatever bug you have.
Drink enough water to stay hydrated but not bloated.
Get good quality sleep, this may be very difficult as you are in the final stages of planning but bad sleep will only serve to make you more prone to catching a bug.


"In 1981, R. Edgar Hope-Simpson proposed that a ''seasonal stimulus'' intimately associated with solar radiation explained the remarkable seasonality of epidemic influenza. Solar radiation triggers robust seasonal vitamin D production in the skin; vitamin D deficiency is common in the winter, and activated vitamin D, 1,25(OH)2D, a steroid hormone, has profound effects on human immunity. 1,25(OH)2D acts as an immune system modulator, preventing excessive expression of inflammatory cytokines and increasing the ''oxidative burst'' potential of macrophages. Perhaps most importantly, it dramatically stimulates the expression of potent anti-microbial peptides, which exist in neutrophils, monocytes, natural killer cells, and in epithelial cells lining the respiratory tract where they play a major role in protecting the lung from infection. Volunteers inoculated with live attenuated influenza virus are more likely to develop fever and serological evidence of an immune response in the winter. Vitamin D deficiency predisposes children to respiratory infections. Ultraviolet radiation (either from artificial sources or from sunlight) reduces the incidence of viral respiratory infections, as does cod liver oil (which contains vitamin D). An interventional study showed that vitamin D reduces the incidence of respiratory infections in children. We conclude that vitamin D, or lack of it, may be Hope-Simpson''s ''seasonal stimulus''."

Epidemic influenza and vitamin D. Epidemiol Infect. 2006 Dec;134(6):1129-40. Epub 2006 Sep 7 Cannell JJ, Vieth R, Umhau JC, Holick MF, Grant WB, Madronich S, Garland CF, Giovannucci E.

 

[Amanda.Rx]

WASH YOUR HANDS, WASH YOUR HANDS, and did I mention- WASH YOUR HANDS.

This is the #1 way to keep germs from entering your body- you touch a door knob, pick up a telephone, use a handrail- wash your hands. Be very aware of touching your face too! Those alochol based hand sanitizers are awesome- purell- keep a small bottle with you at all times and use is at all times.

If you''re worried about GI bugs or food poisoning, be careful what you eat- you might want to stay away from left overs just to be extra cautious... and public buffets/salad bars too.

I''m not someone to usually suggest herbals, but Echinacea is an herbal product used a lot in Europe- they sell it at most drug stores in the OTC/dietary supplement section. It is thought to be an immune stimulant. Don''t take it if you have an immune system disorder or are on immunosuppressants for any reason. Also, get a trusted product- check out www.consumerlab.com to find a trustworthy product- not all herbals are standardized or even safe. It is usually well tolerated with reports of headache, fatigue, rash, diarrhea, and vomiting at high doses.

There is some good theory behind zinc and vitamin C. Zinc can interfere with viral replication, but there may be no benefit to taking it if you don''t have a virus. If you start feeling poorly, though, it wouldn''t hurt to take it. Just be sure NOT to take zinc on an empty stomach- it''ll make you sick as a dog!! I wouldn''t waste your money on vitamin C supplements- you can''t absorb high doses of it. A glass of juice or a some fruit should suffice.

But remember- WASH YOUR HANDS... a LOT. Get enough sleep and some moderate exercise, at the least.

 

[lala2332]

be careful of too much vitamin C or juice...it can make you break out. Drink lots of water, go on walks/runs with your favorite music, take time to do what you like...reading, long bath, watch a movie before bed so you can unwind. stay away from caffeine after 3 or 4, and eat plain foods that you know are ok on your tummy., esp. at night, so you can sleep well.