Stay Well This Winter with Kleenex Brand

Thank you to the Kleenex brand for sponsoring this post. Many thanks to supporting the brands that support me!

Around Chicagoland, you can definitely feel the crispness in the air and fall is in full effect! Unfortunately, that means winter will be here before we know it- booo! And with wintertime comes flu season. Luckily, I don’t have to worry about germs and sickness with sending Bryce to school or daycare, but that certainly doesn’t mean that he won’t be exposed to germs with visitors, trips to public places and the like. So this winter, I’m setting out to help prevent illnesses before they even start by following a few tips to help yourself (and others) stay well during the winter months!

#1 Eat healthy foods.

Stock up on fruits and veggies this winter! These foods pack a ton of vitamins and minerals that keeps your immune system at its best. My favorites to stock up on in the winter time include tomatoes, onions, carrots, sweet potatoes, apples, lemons, and more. Veggies are really easy to get in with soups and stews and crock pot meals! I’ve been making a ton of crock pot freezer meals lately- so easy to do for those busy nights! Just pop it in and you have a warm, nutritious meal ready to go! So far, I’ve made this set (delish and great instructions!) as well as these from the Pioneer Woman as well as several Costco freezer meals sets!

#2 Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.

This one is a no brainers. Drink plenty of water each day to stay hydrated and to make up for lost moisture that can occur during the winter. I love adding some citrus or even berries to my water for extra flavor. You can try a water bottle infuser or get a cute monogrammed water bottle or mason jar with straw to have at your desk or at a hand’s reach so it’s top of mind! I’ve heard to drink half you body weight in fluid ounces, so having it nearby definitely helps!

#3 Create a wellness kit for your home (and others!)

There have been times when my husband or I were sick and we didn’t have the items we needed on hand. It’s the worst to make a trip to the local drugstore when all you want to do is curl up in bed. Because of this, we now keep a well stocked wellness kit so we can be prepared! We keep items like medicine, thermometers, ointments, band-aids, cough drops and Kleenex facial tissue.

You can also show someone you care by creating a mini wellness kit for your friends, family, teachers, etc! I’ve seen SO many adorable ideas on Pinterest! You can make a wellness kit with Kleenex facial tissues (aren’t their designs just adorable?!), chicken soup, menthol vapor rub, lap balm, hand sanitizer and cough drops, then package it together in a cute tote or box with a card or printable that says “Being Sick Blows!” The Kleenex brand even has a website where you can share a message with tissues- so sweet!

Along those lines…you could make similar kits with Kleenex facial tissues like:

“Boo Boo Box” theme as a starter medicine cabinet for a college student
“Sunshine Box” with yellow items to brighten someone’s day and show you care
Wedding day care package for the bride or bridesmaids
Homewarming tower of essentials like I recently did here!
Teacher bundle with Kleenex facial tissue and hand soap or sanitizer

Every day we’re presented with opportunities to show we care, but despite our best intentions, these moments often get overlooked. According to a survey commissioned by the Kleenex brand, nearly 50 percent of people in the U.S. say they’ve missed an opportunity to show someone they care, especially when it comes to everyday moments. Such a shame!

So regardless of what kit you go with for your own home or for someone else, visit the Walmart pharmacy section and stock up on Kleenex facial tissue so you’re prepared to share one with someone who may need it. You can take advantage of an exclusive Walmart offer while stocking up: receive a $5 VUDU credit* (a streaming movie service) when you purchase either a 4-pack of 75-ct Kleenex Ultra Soft Tissues or Kleenex Tissues with Lotion (some will have stickers that denote coupon and some will not, but all of the Lotion/Ultra Soft 4-packs are eligible). This credit would make for a great addition to a get well package so they can relax and recoop and watch a movie!

*Redeem by purchasing qualifying item and star/check the item(s) and the date of your receipt. Snap a clear photo of the entire receipt with your phone. Text CAREPACKAGE to 811811 for submission instructions. Please allow 48 hours for processing.

#4 Wash your hands.

Again, a no brainer but often overlooked when you are in a rush but oh so important! You can really cut down exposure to certain germs by washing hands regularly. I love keeping foaming hand soaps with great scents (right now, I’m loving the fall scents like pumpkin, toasted marshmallow and cinnamon.) And you can even make your own foaming hand soap with just a couple ingredients- great way to reuse those empty soap containers!

#5 Get some zzz’s.

It’s so important to get adequate rest to keep your immune system healthy. Try to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep at night to keep your body functioning well and to help fight off illnesses. Personally, as a new mom, that can be tough but make sure you put down your cell phone at least an hour before bed and get yourself relaxed (I need to work on this!) Even lighting a candle or putting some lavender spray on your pillow works wonders- very calming!

DIY Headboard tutorial here.

What tips do you have for staying well this winter? Any other ideas on showing someone you care with a themed kit or box? Tell me in the comments!