The Secrets To Avoid Flus And Colds

On average, Americans get 4 colds a year and most of those are squeezed into the colder months. There are as many different types of colds as there are medicines to treat them in the drugstore. There’s the awful low-grade lingerer, the nasal/sinus one and then the worst for me is the one that migrates to the chest and sits there as a hacking cough for weeks. Mercifully there are many steps we can take to avoid getting colds at all and since I’ve followed this protocol, I’m down to 1 – maybe 2 colds a year and when I do get one, it’s mild. So here are my top 6 tips for avoiding them altogether:

1. Hand Washing Lunatic! This is boring and obvious but is the most important. The reason is that once we touch an infected surface or person, without realizing it, we’re likely to then touch our face (eyes, mouth or nose,) and this is how we get infected. So during flu season, which is now – make sure you hand wash many more times than you normally would.

2. Hand Sanitizer: Always carry a hand sanitizer in your purse and keep one in your car. Remember most drugstore sanitizers are pretty toxic, as they contain Toluene (a possible carcinogen). Look for Prefenz Hand Sanitizer, which is unique because one application lasts for up to 10 hand-washings. You can save money by making the awesome one from Do It Gorgeously, which moisturizes and protects against all germs.

3. Hydrogen Peroxide: This inexpensive staple is a far safer and less toxic germ killer than bleach. It does just as good a job of killing almost 100% of germs too. I keep a sprayer bottle full of it (bottle must be opaque as hydrogen peroxide is light sensitive), and at the end of each day during cold season, I spray counter tops, fridge handles, bathroom surfaces, phones etc – all the places that the family touches on a regular basis – especially my daughter.

4. Immune Strength: The strength of your immune system will obviously determine how many colds and flu bouts you get. This is why when some people are exposed to germs they’re fine and others are stricken. Aside from good nutrition (make sure you’re getting plenty of Vitamin D) – the most strengthening practice for your immune system is to take some time to practice deep breathing and /or meditation. Stress is our absolute enemy when it comes to getting sick and to learn a deep-breathing technique will help bring everything back into balance when you’re in the thick of it.

5. Nourish: There are certain foods that you can eat, which have been clinically proven to strengthen your immune system. Get a load of them!

6. Exercise – moderate is best: Numerous studies have found that moderate exercise, as opposed to crazy hard-core workouts, is the way to go in strengthening the immune system. Too much vigorous exercise can suppress the immune system, whereas gentle/moderate exercise boosts it. I say a strong yoga workout is probably your best best.

If you do get sick, the best thing you can do for sore throat is to gargle with sea salt and warm water, then have a tsp of Manuka honey. Take lots of rest and drink wonderful herbal teas with lemon and raw honey.