I’ve gone gray and I love it! Not my hair, my phone.

A few weeks ago I switched my iPhone setting from the flashing

lights of Vegas to grayscale.

No more technicolor bling, just black and white.

The idea, made popular by former Google design ethicist, Tristan

Harris, is to combat cellphone addiction and stop allowing our

technology to highjack our lives.

So what does this have to do with a health blog?

Well, if you’ve ever intended to quickly check something on your

phone and realized an hour later you’re still on it, than you know

what a life suck your device can be.

Maybe you had planned to workout, get something accomplished

or spend time with someone you love.

It’s hard to look away from bright shiny objects. But it's not

you,  iPhones are designed to hook your attention. 

Now try looking at Facebook or Instagram on grayscale. It’s

positively depressing!

Which is wonderful if you’re looking to spend more time in the real

world.

Not only am I more likely to stay on task when I check my phone on

grayscale but when I look up, the real world is so much more colorful

and inviting than my screen.

I’m not saying grayscale will break your umbilical cord connection

with your phone but it will defiantly help. 

Here’s how to set your iPhone to grayscale and easily click back

to color:

1.     Go to Settings

2.     Scroll down and click on General

3.     Click on Accessibility

4.     Scroll down to Accessibility shortcut

5.     Click on Color Filters.

Now you should be able to press your home button 3 times to switch

between color and grayscale.

I might be tempting fate by saying this, but I don’t get sick.

While I'm not like Bruce Willis in Unbreakable, I totally consider this my super power!

I rarely catch even a cold and when I do it's gone before I get to watch reruns.

With two kids rolling in a bacteria dish of germs at school and a husband who gets infected by everything they bring home, this is no small achievement.

Sadly, my impeccable sick day record has nothing to do with mutant super genes.

It’s because I follow a few simple guidelines during cold and flu season. 

So when everyone around you starts dropping like flies, follow these food and lifestyle tips to sail through it....like a super hero!

How not to get sick

Gut check

About 80 percent of our immune system is in our digestive tract! To support your immune system by taking a probiotic supplement. These foods are also a great source for probiotics: fermented sauerkraut, fermented pickles, Kim chi, kefir and organic plain yogurt. Drinking bone broth from organic pasture-raised animals is additionally a great way to support gut health.

Water

Drinking water helps your body flush out toxins and bacteria. A hydrated body also helps fight off infection better.  

Get rested 

Flu season is no time to binge watch Stranger Things until dawn. The less sleep you get the harder it is for your immune system to fight off infection.

Reduce alcohol & sugar  

Both alcohol and processed sugar suppress your immune system and make it easier to get the flu. Coming off a holiday sugar bender doesn’t make this any easier. Try staying hydrated and eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, especially root vegetables, to curb sugar cravings.

No touchy

I don’t believe in going crazy on hand sanitizer but this time of year, it doesn’t hurt to be a little paranoid about what you touch. In public places, avoid touching bathroom doors handles, railings, counters and carry your own pen.

Relax

Some experts say 90 percent of illness is caused by stress. There’s no getting rid of stress but taking a break from it can be very effective. Try taking a breathing break, meditating, going for a walk, getting a massage or hangout with a friend who makes you laugh…not the one that stresses you out!

Essential oil

As an added protection I use doTerra On Guard. I’m a huge fan of diffusing this in my house anytime someone even sneezes. I don’t make money from this brand, it just happens to be the one I use. You can also try popping one of these beadlets.