6 Ways To Prevent Catching A Cold
February 22nd, 2008
As I write this I feel like I might be catching a cold, which is the most obvious reason for writing this post, so wish me luck while I try not to get sick by acting on the following advice:
1. (Lave Sus Manos) Wash Your Hands
During the cold and flu season, it’s a good idea to wash your hands several times a day. Specifically after coming into physical contact with other people, like after shaking hands, etc. If you are unable to wash your hands, definitely don’t inadvertently place your fingers in your mouth or rub your eyes.
2. Eat As Healthy As You Possibly Can
This means eating more fresh fruits and vegetables (and less junk food and fast food) to help boost your immune system. Although dark chocolate has a lot of antioxidants, try to avoid or minimize your consumption of chocolates and sweets during the cold and flu season.
3. Get Plenty Of Rest
The common cold and flu often hits us hard during the winter months. This is a time when everyone should be in hibernation mode. After all it’s winter. So getting a good night’s sleep is extremely important. And it does seem like a natural time to slow down and take it easy. Even professional long distance runners and triathletes slow down their training during winter months.
4. Avoid Stress
Well, many of us will have a hard time totally avoiding stress, as our work and our family life tends to add stress to our lives anyway. But, it’s important to reduce your stress level as much as possible. Naturally, reducing any kind of stress to your mind and body will definitely help in fighting off the cold or flu.
NOTE: I wrote an article a while back about stress: 10 Ways To De-Stress Your Life
5. Take Herbal Remedies
Studies have shown that the herbal remedy Echinacea, whether in supplement form or a tea, may actually help prevent the common cold. But I’ve also read a lot of good things about Goldenseal, which is a good herb to take if your are already sick or if you feel you are on the verge of getting sick. Teas in general (like Chamomile Tea) are good for the body in that you are getting more fluids into your system, which leads us to our next bit of advice.
6. Drink Plenty Of Water
Everyone knows that the human body is made up of more than 70% water, so it makes perfect sense to take your recommended 7 to 8 glasses of water a day. And the best way to do that is to drink fresh bottled spring water. And fluid intake is important, but avoid sodas or any drink with too much sweeteners.
And that pretty much wraps up my personal tips and suggestions for helping to prevent the common cold. Good luck to you and don’t catch that cold!
February 22nd, 2008 at 11:31 pm
NOW you tell me… ^ -
February 23rd, 2008 at 9:39 am
oh no… do you have a cold? get well soon, and rest…
ever since the Dim Sum restaurant i have a slight cold.
was it the cooked foods? or just being exposed to a lot of people?
February 23rd, 2008 at 10:38 am
Hello again. I’ve had my fair share of colds this year. Ugh, they’ve been really bad this year for some reason. I hope you dodge getting it full on!
I want to ask you…what would you recommend to take to cleanse your body of all toxins? I had heard awhile back that goldenseal was a good herbal remedy to take to cleanse the body.
I quit smoking about 3 years ago and while I’ve been trying to live a healthier life, I would really like to cleanse my body and do a ’start over’.. if that’s possible? Sort of a clean plate, so to speak.
Thanks for taking the time. Peace - TheMrs
February 23rd, 2008 at 11:21 am
TheMrs: I would recommend the Master Cleanse as a very good detox and cleansing plan. Though it might be a bit extreme for some. The minimum is 10 days on water with freshly squeezed lemon juice, grade B maple syrup and a pinch of cayenne powder. You also have to do a salt water flush in the morning and detox herbal tea at night.
You might just want to drink the detox tea for starters.
Any type of juice fast for 2-3 days will detox your body and cleanse it. I’ll have to write an article on juice fasting, but you can find a lot of info online.
So far I still have a slight cough, but my cold and sniffles are gone.
February 23rd, 2008 at 8:29 pm
Excellent! Thanks so much for taking the time to help me out. I’ll try the tea and go from there. I’m very much looking forward to getting all this stuff out of my system.
I just recently started exercising again and keeping a food journal. Hopefully all of this will do some good for a body that I’ve neglected for a few too many years. :(
I’m glad it’s no worse for you than a small cough. Hopefully that will be gone in no time and you’ll be 100% again. :)
Thanks again!