Put Your Cold on Hold
CBN.com - There is a prevalent myth that goes around that says that once you get that first sniffle or first couple of huge sneezes, you are on the highway to a cold, so you might as well succumb to this impending illness and hope it doesn’t last too long.
Nonsense! First, you don’t have to suffer through a cold, even if you feel like you are getting the “beginning stages”. It depends on what you do that determines that outcome. You can bolster your immune system to fight that virus quickly if you keep in mind these tips.
Stay away from dairy foods when you feel a cold coming on. Ingesting dairy foods typically causes your body to produce more phlegm. And the more mucous you produce, the more prone you are to sinus drainage and excess phlegm. Plus, mucous can get infected, which can lead to a sinus infection that will leave you listless. With less mucous circulating in your system, you will have less chance of getting infected.
Take your vitamin C. Eat oranges and tangerines. Drink pomegranate juice, drink cranberry juice, or squeeze lemon into your water. And then you can always take the supplements. During the time when your body is compromised, you will need to up your intake of vitamin C. One-a-day won’t do at this point. A word of caution for those taking C in tablet or capsule form: too much vitamin C can cause digestive issues for some, so don’t overdo it. The best way is to get the vitamin from food sources.
Drink plenty of fluids. You might feel like you are floating or that you have to go to the bathroom every five minutes, but that’s actually good. The faster you eliminate the better. Your goal is to flush out that infection. Why let it linger? Plus, having adequate fluid in your system will keep you from eating junk, will liven up a weary body, and will ease your joints.
Try a tablespoon or two of unfiltered apple cider vinegar every day. I like Bragg apple cider vinegar. You usually find it in your local health food store and even some local grocery stores. It’s an inexpensive and very effective way to clean out your system of bad bacteria. I prefer to take the liquid straight, but it is very sour, so for those of you who don’t relish the taste of vinegar in the morning or get an upset stomach easily, you should mix it with water and take it right after a meal. I don’t know exactly how this substance works, but it really does an amazing job of clearing out your air passages, alleviating digestive problems (as long as you aren't prone to making too much stomach acid), and helping your body to function better overall. Don’t believe me? Try it! I did when I thought I was getting a cold, and very quickly I was back to normal.
A tablespoon of local honey a day will help. Sometimes you can think you have a cold, when actually you have allergies. Get local honey from your health food store, farmer’s market, or coop. It has to be the kind that hasn’t been processed to death or manufactured somewhere outside your state. The reason for this is that local honey is a natural antihistamine. You build up immunity to the flowering plants in your area that would ordinarily cause you to sneeze or cause your eyes to water. Plus, natural honey has B vitamins, which are really good for you.
Get your rest. When your body is trying to fight an infection, you need to give your body adequate sleep. Don’t overexert yourself at this stage. Let your body adjust to that viral threat properly by setting aside sufficient rest so that your body can recover. That might mean the usual eight hours you should be getting anyway or more like nine or ten. Everyone will differ on this one. But too little sleep will leave you drained and susceptible to feeling even worse later in the day.
Grab some fresh air and sunshine. As long as it’s not too cold outside, go for a 15-minute stroll in the great outdoors, especially if the sun is shining. The sun provides natural vitamin D, and that fresh air in your lungs will kick out the stale air you might have been breathing all day in your stuffy office or home. Plus, there is something about being in the great outdoors that really lifts your mood. A positive attitude will have positive results on your physical health.
NOTE: This article is provided for general educational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical advice or counseling, the practice of medicine or the provision of health care diagnosis or treatment, or an endorsement, recommendation, or sponsorship of any third party product or service. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, contact your doctor promptly.
