The following is being shared via permission from Sierra Bingham of Bear Earth Herbals. Such simple, yet amazing advice. 

TIPS TO STAY HEALTHY

Quick Summary of Easy At Home Health Tips:  There are lots of herbal protocols out there and many use herbs that are endangered, expensive or hard to access. Just because an herb is common and easy to find doesn't make it less effective. Here are some easy things you can do with ingredients you already have at home.

1. Eat Less. Eat Simply. 70% of our immune system is housed in our guts, so gut health is super important right now. Eating simpler, less and less frequently gives our digestive system time to rest and catch up on the processing and detox work it has to do. Well cooked vegetables are much preferred to raw as they are easier for us to digest and offer more minerals. Greens, Greens, Greens!

2. Eat less sugar. Seriously, if you are going to do one thing for your health right now this could be it. All pathogens feed on sugar, and our immune system is greatly taxed by it. This includes juices and large amounts of fruit and grains. Increase vegetables and proteins and if you struggle with sugar cravings - start taking bitters! Eating bitter things reduces sugar cravings greatly and can completely diminish them within a week or two.

3. Love. Studies show healthy relationship and connection is more important for viral resistance and longevity than even diet or exercise choices! While we aren't able to connect with each other in the same way as before and many of us are feeling lonely, it's VERY important for our physical and mental wellness to maintain connection. Meditations of unconditional love, hugging trees, writing letters, sharing songs, spending time with pets and calling loved ones are great ways to still connect.

4. Broth. Broths are a very easy herbal preparation that almost anyone can enjoy. You can put whatever you like in them, and it's a great way to reduce food waste. Some of the common compost items are actually superfoods in a broth. Citrus peels and the flakey outer skins of onions and garlic are amazing immune supporters and infection fighters. Add lots of aromatic herbs like Sage, Oregano, Marjoram, Ginger, Turmeric, Thyme, Bay, Cumin, basically everything in your spice cabinet. Don't let the commonness of these herbs fool you, they are super charged infection fighters that you already have in your cupboard. Vegetable odds and ends, bones, burdock root, dandelion root, and mushrooms are all great additions as well. Drink the broth warm or use it to cook pasta, rice or other grains.

5. Drink more herbal teas. Now is a great time to up your daily herbal tea quota. Even simple herbal teas like Chamomile (a great nerve calmer and digestive friend) have wonderful health properties. Adaptogenic herbs like Tulsi and Chaga are wonderful for building the whole body up. Nettles can provide some strong nourishment. Lemon Balm is a strong antiviral and a stellar herb for stress. Aromatic herbs help fight infections. Elderberries can be a great immune tonic (just lay off them if you are sick). Hibiscus, Rose Hips and White Pine needles offer tons of Vitamin C.

6. Stay active. Our lymphatic system is responsible for a huge portion of our body's detoxification process and has no automatic pump like our circulatory system. It relies on us moving and contracting our muscles to pump lymphatic fluid. Going for a walk is a wonderful way to help out your lymph system (and your lungs), but so is doing toe raises, rocking back and forth on your heels, dry skin brushing and dancing in your living room!

7. Make sure you're getting enough Vitamin D and C. Taking supplements of these vital nutrients might be a good idea right now, in addition to eating Vitamin C rich foods and getting out in any bit of sunlight you can find. Mushrooms are a great source of Vitamin D and also have crazy good immune boosting properties.

8. Make an Apple Cider Vinegar tonic. It's easy to do! Put aromatic herbs (like thyme, sage, oregano, basil) hot peppers, ginger, turmeric, mustard seed, horseradish, garlic, chives, etc. in a jar with apple cider vinegar. Make sure to either put a piece of waxed paper between the metal lid and the vinegar or use a non-metal lid as the vinegar will react with the metal. Shake daily and let sit for 1-2 weeks. Strain and use in cooking or mix with some honey and water for a daily tonic drink.

9. Hot Herbal Baths or Foot Baths. Brew up a strong pot of herbal tea and add it to your bath or foot bath. Epsom salts are another wonderful detoxifying addition (just make sure to rinse and drink plenty of water afterwards). Some of my favorite additions to baths are Ginger (go easy on it), Rose Petals, Nettles, White Pine (also go easy), Linden, Oat Straw, Chamomile and Comfrey. Hot herbal baths are relaxing, detoxing, boost immune function and help ease aches and pains. Herbal foot baths can be just as effective for the whole body and don't require a thorough cleaning of the tub first!

10. Smudge or steam your home. Burning sage clears bacteria and other pathogens from the air and is a VERY effective cleansing practice. Another great idea is to put a pot of water on the stove or wood stove with White Cedar leaves, Pine, Citrus peels or Garden Sage in it and let it steam through your home, humidifying and cleansing the air. It smells great too! Just don't forget you've got it on there.