I've been on a mission to uncover what causes and how to prevent the common cold or the flu. The reason for this quest is that from January 2010 to July 2011, I was "sick" every 60 to 90 days from some annoying form of an upper respiratory infection. This was never typical for me and p.s., starting January 2010 I began a new chapter in my life. This new chapter included a new dream career as a fitness trainer which started to really take off toward the end of 2010. My diet and exercise regime as a result was kicked up a few notches since I was now devoted to being the best I could be. Why now would I be coming down every other month or so with a cold or the flu?? After a couple of conversations with my ENT doctor and doing my own research I began to make a few changes in my everyday routine and tried not to analyze too much about the WHY. Here's what I've learned.
- Wash your hands frequently. I carry hand sanitizer (soap and hot water is preferable but not always practical) in my bag and will use it after I've handled a menu (touched by staff, other customers and seldom cleaned); I use it when I leave the gym, the grocery store, anyplace that I can't avoid touching items and surfaces after numerous other people.
- Avoid touching your face. Nose, mouth, eyes, etc.
- Remember when Grandma avoided a draft at all cost? I do. Rest in Peace Nonnie. A hundred years ago, doctors would have said that a chill clearly leads to infection. Today, we're not as exposed to the elements as we were 100 years ago and most of us have a centrally heated home to take shelter in so while that risk has been diminished, recent research says the chill-cold connection is still a factor. Here's why, many of us carry around a subclinical cold infection and that chilling the feet (or any other body part) opens the door for it to become a full blown cold. So stay warm!
- Avoid sugar and simple carbs as they can lower your immune function.
- Eat plenty of antioxidant and antibacterial rich fruits, vegetables AND spices, like cranberries, blueberries, cinnamon, tumeric, oregano, garlic, onions, sweet potatoes, chocolate and red wine!
- Sleep! Get your 7 to 8 hours of rest each night.
Flu season is the end of November through April. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!
