Survival Tips During Cold & Flu Season
I love a white Christmas but know what accompanies this time of year: cold and flu season.
Here are a few practical tips to help you stay healthy this winter season.
1. Wash your hands regularly – Most cold and flu viruses are spread by direct contact. If a person near you coughs or sneezes and touches a telephone or keyboard that you then touch, you will pick up those germs. What you need to do is lather up and scrub your hands with a good soap for fifteen to twenty seconds. You can also use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Antibacterial soaps that contain triclosan should be avoided as they increase the antibiotic-resistance of bugs. More than 75% of liquid hand soaps contain triclosan so read the labels carefully.
2. Flush out germs – To help you avoid infection, wash off germs from your eyes and face before they even have a chance to enter your body. You can do this by submerging your face in warm water for a few seconds. You can also use a neti pot or a saline nasal spray to cleanse your nostrils. I have friends who use a neti pot in the shower every day as a preventative and it works quite well. I prefer NeilMed’s Sinus Rinse because it’s easier to use than a neti pot and less messy.
3. Don’t sneeze and cough into your hands – Use tissue instead or the inside of your elbow. Germs and viruses cling on to your hands so muffling coughs and sneezes with your hands often results in passing along your germs to others.
4. Don’t touch your face – Cold and flu viruses enter your body through the eyes, nose, or mouth.
5. Boost your immune system – Living a healthy lifestyle that incorporates regular exercise, a healthy diet, stress management, 7-8 hours of sleep, as well as a good multi-vitamin and mineral supplement all help boost your immune system.
Here is a list of additional supplements that can help you strengthen your defenses during cold and flu season:
- Vitamin C – it helps prevent viral infections. Dr. Whitaker recommends a minimum of 1,500 mg a day in divided doses during this time of year. I know people who take a lot more than that at the onset of a cold and get over colds quickly or avoid them altogether.
- Vitamin D – this helps protect you against various types of bugs. Dr. Whitaker recommends about 5,000 IU per day for most adults. Sunshine has been given a bad name because of fear of skin cancer but it is the real vitamin D and can account for at least part of that daily requirement. I believe that there is safety in moderation but everyone must make the proper decision for themselves.
I also like to have Clear Products Cold and Flu which is a homeopathic remedy. If the onset hits me hard, I rather play it safe and will take a couple capsules. I haven’t been sick in years thanks to these amazing and natural remedies.
Restore 4 Life Mineral Supplement – Restore is an earth-derived supplement that promotes an optimal gut environment. It’s not a probiotic or a prebiotic. Rather, it is a carbon rich, alkaline liquid, with lignite derived trace organics and essential trace amino acids. With 70% of the immune system located in the gut, this optimal gut environment leads to great gut health.
Harmony Cone Ear Candles – these are a staple in my household. I am prone to sinus infections and love how ear candles relax me. These are by far the best on the market. They burn very clean so can easily be done in bed or on the coach without you needing to open all the windows. Just make sure to have someone there with you. You may find it hard to stay awake for the 10+ minutes the candle burns.
I hope that these tips come in handy for you and your loved ones. Remember – an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!
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Part of this article is based on the work of Dr. Julian Whitaker of the Whitaker Wellness Institute, Newport Beach, California.