Everyone around me is sick! How can I prevent myself from catching it?
Fall – ’tis the season to be… sick! Typically the average person tends to catch a cold around this time of year as the season changes. Well, I have good news for everyone. You do not have to catch that dreaded bug that is coming around! There are several ways to keep your immune system strong to help keep you healthy during this season.
6 ways to keep yourself healthy this cold/flu season:
1. Eat according to the season. It is getting cold out there! That means your mind and body need some support in staying warm. The best things you can do are to avoid cold foods like ice cream and eat warming foods like nutritious stews and soups. If you help your body out by supplying it with nourishing foods, the more energy it has to support your immune system and fight viruses from making you feel sick.
2. Sleep is especially important! If you are staying up late and getting up early, it puts stress on your mind and body. A tremendous amount of healing occurs in your sleep. If you are not getting enough, you become prone to catching a cold quite easily.
3. Vitamins and minerals – Vitamin C and zinc provide great support for the immune system. The dose you should be taking is specific to you and depends on many factors including your diet, lifestyle, genetics and environment. Ask your Naturopathic Doctor what dose you should be taking this time of year.
4. Decrease your exposure to illness. We catch the common cold through water droplets in the air and through contact. So it is important to educate people in the proper way of sneezing and/or coughing. If you have children, teach them how to sneeze and cough into their elbow and not into their hands. Once the germs are on their hands, they will spread it to whatever they touch next.
5. Bundle up! Having your head and neck exposed to the cold also makes you susceptible to catching a cold or flu. In Traditional Chinese medicine, the back of your neck is called the “wind gate.” If your wind gate is exposed to cold, you could catch a cold yourself. Make sure you wear a scarf and hat if it is windy or chilly outside to protect yourself.
6. Immune herbs – There are many medicinal plants and herbs that act to support your immune system. By taking these, you can make yourself less susceptible to catching the virus that is spreading around your work/school/office/home. Ask your Naturopathic Doctor which herbs are right for you and what dose you should be taking.
Have a wonderful healthy day!!
-Dr. Diana Go, ND
If you have any questions or want more information, click on the contact page of this website or email info@gonaturopathichealth.com.
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