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As we are more than likely aware, there are no known cures as such for colds and flu: however there are some steps that we can put into place to help prevent them or at least have them less debilitating should we get one. By including these tips you will not only help prevent colds and flu but you will also be implementing things into your life so that you will be so much healthier as well. The main thing to look at when wanting to prevent a cold or flu or any other illness.
Steps to Prevent Cold & flu
1. Washing your hands regularly: The majority of cold and flu viruses are spread through direct contact either from person to person or through objects. When someone who has the flu sneezes onto his or her hand and then touches the telephone, the keyboard, a kitchen glass. The germs can live for hours only to be picked up by the next person who touches the same object. So wash your hands often. If you can't get to a sink, rub an alcohol-based hand sanitizer onto your hands.
2. Avoid covering your Sneezes and Coughs with your hand: It is important to use a tissue to cover your face when sneezing or coughing, because germs and viruses will cling to your bare hands, where this can result in passing your germs onto others. When you feel a sneeze or cough coming, use a tissue, then throw it away immediately. If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into the inside of your elbow.
3. Avoid Touching your Face: Cold and flu viruses enter your body through the eyes, nose, or mouth. Therefore by touching your face, especially with children this is the major way catch colds and flu are passed on to one another.
4. Rest, Hydrate and Relaxation: When you are getting adequate rest and relaxation this will give utmost support to your immune system. Drinking adequate fluids such as water, a fresh lemon drink first thing in the morning and herbal teas such as green tea, ginger and mint. These will help with detoxifying your system.
5. Daily Aerobic Exercise: Due to the fact that aerobic exercise increases your heart rate therefore allowing the heart to pump larger quantities of blood; assists with more efficient breathing, this will in turn help transfer oxygen from your lungs to your blood; allowing you to sweat once again acting as a great detoxifier. These exercises help increase the body's natural virus-killing cells.
6. Eating Foods with Phytochemicals: "Phyto" means plants: the natural chemicals in plants such as dark green vegetables, red capsicum, pumpkin, squash, spinach, kale and fruits: is what supercharges the vitamins in these foods. So no need for vitamins these are far more efficient for keeping you well and healthy.
7. Either Don't Smoke or Give Up Smoking: Smoking increases your risks of cold and flu, not to mention the most definite long term effects of decreased lung capacity leading to emphysema and lung cancer. When you are around people who smoke this profoundly debilitates your immune system. Smoke dries out your nasal passages and paralyses cilia. These are the delicate hairs that line the mucous membranes in your nose and lungs, and with their wavy movements, sweep cold and flu viruses out of the nasal passages. Experts contend that one cigarette can paralyse cilia for as long as 30 to 40 minutes.
8. Keep Alcohol Consumption to a minimum: By drinking excess quantities of alcohol this will suppress the immune system in a variety of ways. Heavy drinking will make you more prone to initial infections as well as secondary complications. Alcohol also dehydrates the body -- it actually causes more fluid loss from your body system therefore can lead to serious dehydration, dehydration leads to inadequate transport of nutrients within the bloodstream, this will also lead to serious toxic effects within the body.
Empowering You to Optimal Health Julie Doherty N.D
