Have you noticed how cold remedies have been flying off store shelves on Florida’s First Coast? Before you make that trek to the store yourself, remember these easy tips on how to prevent a cold naturally.
We often think that by avoiding people who are sick will keep us healthy. However, most people are contagious carriers before they ever show symptoms. Developing healthy habits will keep your immune system strong.
1. Wash your hands before you eat. Also wash any produce or fruit before you prepare or eat it.
2. Get lots of rest. If you are on the verge of getting sick, sometimes a good dose of plain old vitamin C and a day of bed rest can turn the tide. When we sleep our bodies work on repairing themselves. Consistently burning the midnight oil hampers our bodies’ ability to maintain wellness and can be a contributing factor to more serious illnesses than the common cold.
3. Take a multivitamin. Our foods are no longer produced in mineral rich soils and are often laden with pesticides that devalue their nutritional benefits.
4. Get some sun. Natural vitamin D is still the best and the added benefit of warm rays can be a great way to relax.
5. Limit stress. Prioritize your To Do list and let little things slide. Chances are they will still get done. Our bodies do not know the difference between true flight or fight situations versus daily work/life stress. It never got that memo. So every time you stress out it thinks a mountain lion is going to eat you and shuts down non-vital functions.
6. Make time to breathe. Meditate. Walk in nature. Pet the cat. Play fetch with the dog. Laugh with your kids. Deep belly breathing oxygenates our cells increasing their function.
7. Limit or avoid sugar. It is tasty but the price tag is hefty. One teaspoon of sugar can suppress the immune system for up to 4 hours. For those interested, one teaspoon of sugar is equivalent to 4.2 grams.
Hope this helps to keep you out of the cold and flu aisle.
