When Ekka season arrives in Brisbane every August, it coincides rather unfortunately with flu season. Huge numbers of people attend. Often in close proximity. And so many activities result in touching lots of surfaces plenty of other people have been touching, too. At any time of year, that brings increased risks of coming into contact with bugs and germs, but it’s especially vital to be careful in the flu season. Euww.
Here’s our quick EKKA Survival Guide to help you cover your bases — and not just the immune-boosting ones. Let’s face it —it can be a long, long day!
Keep your hands clean
Before you reach for the commercial antibacterial hand sanitisers, take pause. There are increasing question marks over these products. Concerns include:
- little to no proven benefit versus using plain soap and water
- increasing resistance of bacteria
- the inclusion of triclosan in many such products, suspected of disrupting the endocrine system and causing allergies to be on the rise, plus its effects on the environment, as quantities of triclosan persist after sewage treatment
Washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or more is still the safest and soundest known method of cleaning them thoroughly.
Realistically, you might not be ducking into the restrooms every 15 minutes or you’ll have grizzling children (and adults!) on your hands. And getting back out of the loos without touching anything can be virtually impossible, too. To freshen up your fingers, rub your hands with a few drops of lemon essential oil or Young Living Thieves® Spray, Waterless Hand Purifier or Wipes — all natural ways of cleansing (and dealing with grease from the Dagwood Dog that might possibly have found its way into your hands while you weren’t looking).
Boost your antioxidants and Vitamin C
Not only do antioxidants provide extra fortification for your immune system, they help combat free radicals — and with the pollution in the air, it can’t hurt to increase your daily intake. I love Young Living NingXia Red® for boosting my antioxidants intake, and it’s also available in single serve sachets which are so easy to tuck into your pocket or bag for a boost on the run. Even one sachet adds a noticeable zippiness to my energy levels.
Pack a lunch and support your adrenal function with avocados
When making wraps and sandwiches to take along with you (the occasional Dagwood Dog might be ok but let’s not go overboard), go heavy on the avocados! They contain essential amino acids, antioxidants and some healthy fats to help balance hormone production, support your adrenals and cheer your immune system along.
Stay warm and protect your airways
Ginger is known for warming the body, cleansing lymphatics, keeping airways open and helping to break down the accumulation of toxins in the organs, particularly in the lungs and sinuses. Crystallised ginger has extra sugar, yes, but as an alternative to lollies, is still a healthful choice. (And as odd as it sounds, you can rinse it and pat it dry to reduce the sugar.) Add some into a mix of raw nuts and seeds which will also help fortify you nutritiously. If you take drinks along with you, consider including some ginger tea. (It will also help take the edge off the chill winds that so often spring up during EKKA week!) And wear a scarf! The French know a thing or two about protecting your throat and chest against La Grippe with this sensible wardrobe inclusion.
Take a great defensive supplement
Young Living’s Inner Defense™ capsules are easy to take and support your well-being by strengthening the immune system. They contain potent essential oils like oregano, thyme, and Thieves® which are rich in thymol, carvacrol, and eugenol. I take Inner Defense™ all year round for both prevention and maintenance.
This will also connect you up with The Good Oil Team for our personal support and coaching. We'd love to help you on your journey to vibrant well-being the natural way!
Any questions? Please get in touch via our Contact page.
Keep tempers in check
If tensions rise, you’ll be very grateful to have a soothing blend of essential oils on hand. Young Living Peace & Calming® helps calm tensions and uplift the spirit, promoting relaxation and a deep sense of peace — and may be especially calming and comforting to young children after an overactive and stressful day. (And their parents!) Lavender also works beautifully for this.
Be prepared for upset tummies and aching feet
Rub a few drops of peppermint essential oil into your feet and calves if they start to complain. And if your tummy isn’t feeling so flash either, inhale peppermint oil to tide you over. When you get home, reach for a natural alkaline mineral complex like Young Living AlkaLime®. Infused with lemon and lime essential oils and organic whole lemon powder, AlkaLime helps counter acidity. And its natural effervescence has a way of making my stomach feel settled very quickly — not that I’m confessing to an attack of the Dagwood Dogs.
You might be thinking these tips apply to sporting matches, too. They surely do! Feel free to share this post with your friends and family if you think they’d find these tips handy, too.
