Everyone knows about the horrible virus swine flu, but not too many people really know what it is and how really dangerous it is. Is it worth the risk of getting vaccinated or putting your traveling plans on hold?
I am not going to talk about whether you have to get vaccinated or not. I would like to give you eight tips that can dramatically lower your chances of getting swine flu.
Here are 8 tips that will help you avoid a cold and the flu at any season.
1. Wash your hands. It sounds simple and it makes sense. Even so, germs on the hands do not guarantee infection. It is when they enter our system through more vulnerable areas, such as our eyes and nasal passages, that they become harmful. Germs spread when a person touches respiratory droplets from another person on a surface like a doorknob and then touches his or her own eyes, mouth or nose before washing his or her hands.
2. Introduce the Neti Pot for sinus irrigation into your daily routine. Viruses survive in dry air. Your mouth and nose tend to be drier, too, which helps the virus. The Neti pot will help to clear the sinuses and prevents bacteria from collecting in the mucus that is usually stuck in your sinus cavities.
3. Watch what and how much you eat. When we overeat or consume the wrong types of food, such as too much sugar and alcohol we compromise our immune system. Sugar and alcohol consumption inhibit proper immune function. Don’t stuff yourself with food until you cannot breathe anymore. The trick here is to take time to chew your food. Give your body a chance to digest the food.
4. Take digestive support supplements such as digestive enzymes, herbal bitters, and probiotics. Take digestive enzymes with your food to help your digestive system. It is an important step to take if you eat mostly processed (cooked or packaged) food. Digestive enzymes are essential to the body’s absorption and full use of food. The digestive system is one of your strongest immune defense mechanisms. Be sure it works well. Digestive bitters tonic strengthens the digestive system. Bitter herbs encourage the secretion of digestive juices resulting in improved appetite and digestion. Digestive Bitters help to ensure that food is properly digested before it enters the bloodstream. Making probiotics part your daily routine is another wise choice. Probiotics are excellent for creating good bacteria to boost total body immunity.
5. Don’t forget to take your vitamins and minerals. Daily vitamins are helpful in keeping your immune system up. Make sure that you get enough. The RDA daily recommended intake is lower for many vital vitamins and minerals than what you need in periods of increased needs, such as a flu season. Vitamin C is a great immune system booster and people who take extra daily doses of vitamin C as a preventive measure get less colds or the flu than without taking the vitamin. Vitamin A is another disease-fighting antioxidant and immune-system booster. Zinc is a crucial nutrient for optimal immune system function. Zinc drops are very helpful, because they attack the virus in your throat where it lives. Also, zinc nasal gel started within the first twenty-four hours can shorten the duration of a cold by a few days.
6. Use some herbal blends or teas that will support you immune system. Echinacea has been used for many years as an immune system booster. Other herbs can also be useful at the onset of a cold such as: olive leafs, elderflowers, cayenne, sage, thyme, and horseradish.
7. Exercise! It is summer time. It is so easy to incorporate physical activities into your daily routine. Just get outdoors and play tennis or golf, swim, hike, bike, or just find an hour or even twenty minutes to walk outside. This way you will get your exercise and a peace of mind. Exercise will help your body, mind and immune system stay strong.
8. Get enough sleep. Sleep helps you stay healthy by keeping your immune system strong. Getting enough sleep can elevate your mood and make you feel less stressful.
If you follow these tips not only will you not have to worry about the swine flu, you will also improve your health on the whole.
Tags: Natural Health, swine flu