To combat cold and flu season, it is essential to power up your immune system. Read the story for helpful tips to make a few changes to your lifestyle and diet, and the necessary boost.
Disclaimer:This story is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.
Let me clear something out for you. People are not just 'lucky' when it comes to being healthy and strong. People who seem healthy can also get sick every now and then. The reason―weak immune system.
You may have noticed that right around winter, as the climate changes and the cold temperatures set in, you begin to have runny nose and sniffles. It's not an uncommon phenomenon as many around you are experiencing similar issues. And before we know it, the season of cold and flu begins.
What You Should Do
We all know why a healthy immune system is necessary―it helps us keep us stay fit and free of allergies/illnesses. But there are several other facts that many of us are unaware of.
Acid-Alkaline Balance
The first step is drinking fresh lemon juice each day. Every morning, you can squeeze fresh lemon juice, dilute it in water, and drink it. It is proven that lemons help restore the acid-alkaline balance in our body.
Besides this, you add lemon juice in teas, as salad dressings, and in cooking. There are other foods such as seafood (lobsters, tuna, salmon, crabs, etc.), mushrooms, oats, barley, broccoli, carrots, cabbage, cauliflower, yams, and yogurt.
Herbal Supplements
A medicinal plant called thieves is a raw, natural form of essential oil that works as a immune system booster. Besides thieves, there are other essential oils that help fight cold and flu such as oregano, lemon, cinnamon, peppermint, and frankincense.
Protein and Vitamins
Proteins and vitamins; the two building blocks for a healthier body, mind, soul, and immune system. If your diet lacks essential amounts of proteins and vitamins, it can result in health issues. So feed yourself fresh, raw vegetables and fruits, dark-colored foods (broccoli, kale, eggplant, berries, etc.), and foods rich in vitamins A, B, C, and E.
Rest is Must
None of the above mentioned tips will work if you don't get a good night's sleep. We all have different bodies and it requires adequate rest accordingly. With our fast-paced, hectic lives it becomes highly important to take some personal time off and just sleep; that too about 6―10 hours every night.
Besides adults, sleep is a great for children. Sleep helps control and balance our hormone levels, keeps us fresh and vibrant, gives us healthier skin, and overall peace.
Water, Water, and More Water
Who knew water could be so nourishing. Drinking adequate water throughout the day is a good practice. To calculate, in ounces, take your total body weight (in pounds), divide it by 2, and the number you get is the amount of water that needs to be consumed in a day (in ounces). And try to stay away from coffee. Caffeine takes away minerals and vitamins from our body and dehydrates it.
The most important tip is staying out of the cold and giving yourself an occasional time away from stress. Spend some quality time with friends and family, relax and take a hot bubble bath, get a massage, and stay indoors as much as possible. Remember, mental and physical health go hand in hand. So don't just think about what to eat and what to leave out. Free yourself of exhaustion and find a healthier way to live.