SPREAD HAPPINESS NOT GERMS!

With the winter season still in full swing we thought a few common and alternative tips to avoid the common cold and flu could come in handy.  By following these simple suggestions you might be able to avoid any kind of nasty little mutating virus that decides to use your body for their winter retreat.  Some of these tips are common knowledge and some may be new to you. There are many, many more ways to avoid colds and flu’s, but these are just a few.

1. Drink eight, eight ounce glasses of water every single day.  We know that this is a no brainer, but it works…really! To help you get your eight glasses in, start with two glasses first thing upon rising, two at lunch, two at dinner and two in the evening (try not to drink before bed, as this will keep you up at night going to the bathroom and defeat tip #5).
2. With a Q-tip, swab your ears out with peroxide every morning.  The peroxide travels down the Eustachian tubes and kills any harboring germs plus you get the added benefit of cleaning out earwax (which can also harbor germs).
3. With a Q-tip, swab your nasal passages with warm water, then follow with olive or safflower oil every morning.  The dry air causes small fissures in your nasal canal. These membrane fissures are like the Grand Canyon to a virus, and can be like rolling out a welcome mat right into your blood stream.
4. Wash your hands frequently. Remember, don’t forget your thumbs. One way to know that you are washing your hands properly is to soap up and sing Yankee Doodle Dandy (the length of this song is the appropriate amount of time for proper hand washing). This may provoke strange looks in public restrooms so remember to smile while doing so.  Smiles are contagious too; you’ll be spreading happiness not germs.
5. Make sure you are getting enough (non-medicated) sleep.  Generally, eight hours is suggested.  Sleep is your body’s chief source of defense and most vital process of renewal (we know, another no brainer).   To set the stage for a good night’s sleep you might try some of these ideas.  They may help to relax you before bedtime.  Drink a nice, warm cup of chamomile tea or read a relaxing, inspirational book.  You might also try a magnesium or low dose melatonin supplement.  These are found at your local pharmacy in the vitamin section.
6. Last but not least, EXERCISE. We cannot stress the importance of this tip enough.  We personally like exercise that exerts you physically; like running, walking or biking.  The idea is to break a sweat.  Sweat helps flush the impurities out of your system.  The next day, compliment your exercise routine with one that stretches your mind and body, such as yoga, tai chi or simple stretches.  We find this to be a ‘balance’ for the body.  One form of exercise if not followed by an opposite form tends to create imbalance (like everything else in life).

Even if you follow these tips you may still catch the cold or flu by coming into direct contact from a cough or sneeze of an infected person.  If you become infected, your body’s natural first line of defense is to run a fever.  Virus’s cannot live very long in a higher than normal body temperature.  Don’t grab the Tylenol too quickly.  By allowing the fever to run it’s course you could ward off the cold or flu more quickly.  Give yourself adequate time for rest and renewal.  This is a natural process for your body to cleanse itself from its intruders.  Allow yourself to go through a healing period.  Treat fevers above 100.1°F.  If you experience cold or flu symptoms beyond a week, or anytime your fever is above 102°F contact your primary care physician.

Remember: VIRUSES CANNOT MULTIPLY IF THEY DON’T FIRST MAKE ENTRY INTO THE BLOODSTREAM. IF THEY DO, THE VIRUS CAN INVADE YOUR INDIVIDUAL CELLS, REPLICATE THEIR VIRAL BLUEPRINT, AND TURN YOUR BODY INTO A WALKING, BREATHING INFECTION FACTORY.

In short, the whole purpose of these tips is to not let the little rascals in your body in the first place. By following these tips, this may help you and your family have a healthy and happy winter season.

May you be empowered to be the author of your own health.

Annette and Audrey © 

We welcome any health questions or comments to:adoubledose@hotmail.com