Unfortunately, there is no medically proven cure for the common cold. However, there are a number of simple, all-natural steps that you can take to strengthen your immune system and minimize your likelihood of catching a cold this cold season:
1. Wash Your Hands – Most cold viruses are spread through direct contact with a sick person or an object recently handled by a sick person (doorknob, keyboard, etc.). Frequently washing your hands with anti-bacterial soap or hand sanitizer is a simple, effective way to protect yourself from cold and flu viruses.
2. Don't Cover Your Sneezes and Coughs With Your Hands - Germs and viruses cling to your bare hands, so use a tissue when you cough or sneeze. This will minimize the spread of germs.
3. Don't Touch Your Face - Cold and flu viruses enter your body through the eyes, nose, or mouth, so try to touch your face as little as possible.
4. Drink Plenty of Fluids - Drinking water flushes germs and toxins out of the body. A typical, healthy adult needs eight 8-ounce glasses of fluids each day.
5. Regular Aerobic Exercise - Aerobic exercise increases blood flow throughout the body, increases lung capacity, and raises bodily temperature – all of which increase the body's ability to fight off cold and flu viruses.
6. Don’t Smoke - Heavy smoking increases susceptibility to cold and flu viruses by drying out the nasal passages and damaging the delicate mucous membranes of the nose and lungs that protect the body from cold and flu germs.
7. Decrease Alcohol Consumption - Heavy alcohol consumption suppresses the immune system and dehydrates the body, increasing risk to infections.
8. Relax – Relaxation can help boost the immune system. According to WebMD, during periods of relaxation the number of interleukins (leaders in the immune system response against cold and flu viruses) in the blood stream increase. As a result, relaxation can help boost the immune system and fight cold and flu viruses.
Monday, January 12, 2009
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