preventive measures for cold

Cold and flu season is here, and once it makes an inroad at your house, it may really make life miserable for all of you. If you want to be better prepared for it, set yourself up right with some simple tips.

some home measures that may help you feel better along the way :

1.Wash your hands frequently,especially when returning home from a public place. Stay away from “antibacterial” soaps with triclosan – soap and water does the trick. 

2.Change your hand towels often. Using a common towel may pass germs from one person to another, so a sick person should have their own towel to use. 

3.Clean the places that harbor the most germs in your house – refrigerator doors and handles, bathroom faucets, doorknobs, remote controls, light switches, telephones, dishwasher handles, salt and pepper shakers, toys, and of course, your hands! 

4. Get plenty of sleep. Not getting enough sleep will negatively affect your immune system, leaving you more vulnerable to cold and flu viruses. Be aware of what your body needs (8 hours may not be enough for you), and supplement it with quick cat-naps of 15 to 30 minutes if you can. 

5.Stay hydrated. Living and working inside with the heat on can really dry you out, and it’s more difficult to remember to drink water when it isn’t hot outside.

6.Take your vitamins. Find a good whole-food based multivitamin for you and your family, especially if you aren’t eating as healthy as you know you should.

7. Get sunshine on your body. Exposing yourself to the sun every day boosts vitamin D production and helps to lift your mood, which affects your immune response.

8.Be active – move your body. Regular exercise, especially vigorous exercise, keeps your body healthy and offsets the negative effects of our modern sedentary lifestyle. Try some yoga for a gentle way to help your body’s lymph system clean itself out.

9.Drink your juice. Got a juicer? Flush your body with raw fruit and vegetable juices.

10.Take it easy on the coffee and alcohol. At the first sign of illness, try taking a break from coffee and alcohol to give your liver less to deal with. 

11.Just say no. When feeling less than optimal, do less, stay home from work if you can, and don’t over-commit. Make your health the highest priority. 

12. Use a neti pot. A neti pot can help to keep your sinuses clear and healthy, whether you’re sick or not.

13. Drink Hot Liquids.Hot liquids relieve nasal congestion, help prevent dehydration, and soothe the uncomfortably inflamed membranes that line your nose and throat.

14. Take a Steamy Shower . Steamy showers moisturize your nasal passages and relax you. If you're dizzy from the flu, run a steamy shower while you sit on a chair nearby and take a sponge bath.

15. Gargle. Gargling can moisten a sore throat and bring temporary relief. Try a teaspoon of salt dissolved in warm water, four times daily. 

Natural Home Treatments :

Posted in: HEALTH