Best Remedies to Prevent Colds & Flu
Staying healthy from viruses in the winter can be much more difficult...we're inside more often, thus in closer contact with contaminated people and objects. Yet there are remedies to use right when you start feeling icky to when you actually develop a cold or flu that will shorten symptoms and get you feeling better more quickly. I have not had a virus in a long time by using these remedies.
#1 Remedy: Zinc This is in my experience THE best way to prevent illness and fight it off. Zinc is an essential mineral with antioxidant effects that gives your immune system a boost. You can take it anytime, even if you're not actually sick but fear you might be coming down with something. Best of all, there's zero drug interaction involved in Zinc and Zinc products, so you won't feel drowsy or have to worry about drug interactions. My favorite way to take Zinc...
- Zicam, which has a great array of Zinc products, including tasty strawberry chewables for those who don't like swallowing pills.
Reflexology is an ancient Chinese medical tradition that involves massaging and putting pressure on the feet and hands to stimulate the nerve endings that connect to the rest of the body. If you feel yourself coming down with something, try a foot or hand massage by gentling applying pressure to points that feel sore or sensitive with your thumb and index finger. This technique is essentially a way to remind your organs to function properly by stimulating them. This will help you relax and may alleviate congestion, fatigue and malaise.
Green Tea is a popular choice of drink that's found just about everywhere. It has a great natural taste and is packed with antioxidants. The Chinese have been using green tea for medicinal purposes since ancient times. Research also indicates it has numerous other health benefits, including lowering cholesterol, killing and inhibiting cancer cells and helping with arthritis.
Protein Are you getting enough protein? A healthy diet of protein will help bolster you immune system and build your strength in fighting sickness. Lean meat, fish, eggs, nuts and seeds are all good sources of protein.
Wash your hands and don't touch everything. It's true, just because you come in contact with handrails, remote controls and other objects most often contaminated with viruses by other people does not guarantee you'll get sick. But it can only help to avoid touching these things as much as possible. Wiping down objects that are commonly used in your household with disinfectants will also help kill germs and bacteria. Above all, remember to wash your hands with soap and water before you eat or touch your mouth or face, which are very common ways in which people contaminate themselves. Carry hand sanitizer and tissues with you.
Get a flu shot. Flu viruses are constantly changing, so being up to date on flu shots will ensure you are protected from the three most common viruses at the time.
Get plenty of sleep. If you're tired all the time, your immune system will have trouble coping. Getting at least 8 hours of restful sleep a night will give you the strength to fight off viruses.
Sneeze into your shoulder, not your hands. When people sneeze directly into their hands, they often end up touching a myriad of things and people before they wash them. This is the easiest way to spread germs. So try and sneeze into a tissue or your shoulder, then wash your hands as soon as possible.
Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water, NOT soda, pure WATER, to help clean out your body and keep your organs functioning properly.
Eat plenty of fruits and veggies. The antioxidants, vitamin C and healthy minerals in these foods will strengthen your immune system.
Relax. Stress can weaken your immune system and make you more susceptible to getting sick. Listen to calming music, do some yoga, go for a walk or practice deep breathing to help ease stress. Making sure you take a break and let yourself just chill out every day is also important.
