Natural steps to help prevent a cold
NO one wants to muddle through the long winter months feeling tired, run-down, and sick all the time. But for many families with school-aged children, that is exactly how the average cold and flu season plays out. But try these steps to keep healthy throughout the winter season.
Wash your hands
There is no mystery about how cold and flu viruses spread. Someone who is sick sneezes in their hand and then touches the telephone, the keyboard, or a kitchen glass. You can pick up the germ when you touch that object, even hours later. So wash your hands often. If you cannot get to a sink, rub them with a hand sanitiser that is got alcohol in it.
Don’t cover your sneezes and coughs
with your hands
Viruses cling to your bare hands, so do not use them to muffle your coughs and sneezes.
When you feel one coming, use a tissue, then throw it away. If you do not have one with you, cough or sneeze into the inside of your elbow.
Don’t touch your face
Cold and flu viruses enter your body through your eyes, nose, and mouth. Teach your kids not to touch their faces – and follow your own advice.
Do aerobic exercise regularly Aerobic exercise is any activity that gets your heart pumping. It helps increase your body’s natural virus-killing cells.
Eat foods containing phytochemicals “Phyto” means plants, and the natural chemicals in them give the vitamins in food a supercharged boost. So put away the vitamin pill and eat dark green, red, and yellow veggies and fruits.
Don’t smoke
Heavy smokers get more severe and frequent colds. Even being around smoke hurts the immune system, your body’s defence against germs. Smoke dries out the passages in your nose. It affects your cilia – the delicate hairs that line your nose and lungs and help sweep away cold and flu viruses.
Experts say just one cigarette can stop them from working for as long as 30 to 40 minutes.
Cut back on drinking alcohol
Heavy drinking curbs the immune system. It can make you more likely to get infections as well as complications. Alcohol also dehydrates your body.
Relax
Your germ-defence system will appreciate it. There is evidence that your immune system revs up when you de-stress. One way to relax: train yourself to picture an image you find pleasant or calming. Do this 30 minutes a day for several months. − Wires.