At the time of writing, a serious global health threat is causing concern, particularly across Asia. The novel coronavirus first identified in Wuhan has spread quickly and heightened anxiety worldwide.

This virus appears to hit hardest those with weakened immune systems or existing health conditions. With no guaranteed cure available, the best approach is prevention and strengthening the immune system. Below are practical measures my family and I are taking. I hope these suggestions help you stay safer during this unsettling period.

Lifestyle & General Hygiene

• Washing hands – Increase handwashing frequency, especially after returning home from any public place. With young children, germs travel easily, so make handwashing a consistent habit.

• Hand sanitizers – I prefer making a simple spray rather than using many store-bought gels. I keep a spray bottle handy and have small 10 ml glass bottles for the kids’ school bags. Basic ingredients you can use:

  • a small glass spray bottle

  • essential oils for added support (for example, an immune-support blend plus tea tree oil, or a protective blend with lemon and melaleuca)

  • 2 teaspoons witch hazel

  • clean water

  • optional: 10 ml mini bottles for individual use

  Mix ingredients and use as a spray when handwashing isn’t immediately available. Test any homemade preparation on a small area first and supervise use with children.

• Sleep – Aim for 7–9 hours of quality sleep. Rest is essential for immune function and overall well-being.

• Reduce stress – Chronic stress weakens immunity. Find manageable ways to lower stress, such as regular breaks, mindfulness, or light exercise.

• Avoid crowded places – Temporarily limit visits to busy indoor venues like play gyms, hotels, and crowded attractions to reduce exposure risk.

Vitamins

Food should be your first source of nutrients, but targeted supplements can help when extra support is needed. These are the supplements we find useful for immune and gut health (the gut houses a large portion of the immune system):

• Vitamins:

  • Vitamin C

  • Vitamin D3

  • Omega-3 (fish oil or algae oil)

• Minerals:

  • Zinc

  • Selenium

• Gut support:

  • Probiotics to support intestinal flora

  • Children’s probiotics if supporting younger family members

Food

• Drink bone broth – Rich in nutrients and excellent for gut health. A simple homemade bone broth is an easy daily addition to help nourish the body.

• Eat garlic – Garlic has long been used for its antimicrobial properties. For best results, consume it raw or minimally cooked. Options include swallowing small pieces, placing minced garlic in a veggie capsule, adding raw garlic to dips like tzatziki or hummus, or stirring garlic into dishes at the end of cooking to preserve its beneficial compounds.

• Choose high vitamin C foods – Citrus fruits, chilies, papaya, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts are helpful choices to boost vitamin C intake.

• Include nutrient-dense foods – Liver, oysters, and sardines are examples of small portions that deliver substantial micronutrients. Even occasional servings provide a powerful nutritional boost.

Herbs

While herbal medicine isn’t my specialty, common immune-supporting herbs we incorporate include turmeric, elderberry, and echinacea. Use herbs thoughtfully and consult a healthcare professional if you have concerns or are on medication.

I hope you all find these tips useful

and I wish you all good health!

Please feel free to contact me through the comments below or privately here if you have any questions!