The Secrets to Never Getting Sick
Most secrets to good health aren’t secrets at all, but common sense. A whole host of other feel-good solutions can help you live healthier while avoiding that runny nose or sore throat. Here are the best tips for preventing colds and flu.
1. Eat Green Vegetables & Add Colour To Your Meal Green, leafy vegetables are rich in vitamins that help you maintain a balanced diet — and support a healthy immune system. Do you have trouble remembering to eat your fruits and vegetables at every meal? Cooking with all colours of the rainbow will help you get a wide range of vitamins.
2. Get Vitamin D Deficiencies in vitamin D may lead to symptoms such as poor bone growth, cardiovascular problems, and a weak immune system. Foods that are good sources of vitamin D include egg yolks, mushrooms, salmon, canned tuna, and beef liver. You can also buy vitamin D supplements at your local grocery store or pharmacy.
3. Keep Moving Staying active by following a regular exercise routine — such as walking three times a week — does more than keep you fit and trim. Regular exercise also: a) keeps inflammation and chronic disease at bay b) reduces stress and the release of stress-related hormones c) accelerates the circulation of disease-fighting white blood cells (WBCs), which helps the body fight the common cold.
4. Get Enough Sleep Getting adequate sleep is extremely important if you’ve been exposed to a virus, according to a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine. Healthy adult participants who slept a minimum of eight hours each night over a two-week period showed a greater resistance to the virus.
5. Be Social Doctors have long seen a connection between chronic disease and loneliness, especially in people recovering from heart surgery. Some health authorities even consider social isolation a risk factor for chronic diseases. Research published by the American Psychological Association suggests that social isolation may increase stress, which slows the body’s immune response and ability to heal quickly.
6. Get A Flu Vaccine The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that all people over six months of age get a yearly flu vaccine. However, exceptions should be made for certain people, including those who have severe allergic reactions.
7. Practice Good Hygiene Limiting your exposure to illness by avoiding germs is key to remaining healthy. Here are some other ways to practice good hygiene: a) Shower daily. b) Wash your hands before eating or preparing food. c) Wash your hands before inserting contact lenses or performing any other activity that brings you in contact with the eyes or mouth. d) Wash your hands for 20 seconds and scrub under your fingernails. e) Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. f) Carry an alcohol-based hand cleaner for on-the-go use. Disinfect shared surfaces, such as keyboards, telephones, doorknobs, and remote controls.
8. Keep It Personal Flu viruses can generally survive on surfaces for 24 hours, according to the National Health Service. That leaves plenty of time for germs to spread among family members. Wash contaminated items — especially toys that are shared — in hot, soapy water. When in doubt, opt for disposable drinking cups, utensils, and towels.
Staying healthy is more than just practicing a few good techniques when you don’t feel well. It involves regular exercise, healthy foods, and staying hydrated throughout the day.
Your body works hard to keep you moving and active, so make sure to give it the food it needs to remain in tip-top shape. https://www.healthline.com/