Christmas or New Year means being able to get together and celebrating the holidays. That also means an increased exposure duration. This increases the risk of transmitting or catching viruses or the colds this season. We obviously don’t want that. Not being able to enjoy this season with loved ones and not being able to work after because you’re sick spells trouble for you. So, how do we combat the colds and how do we steer clear from harmful viruses in addition to just wearing masks and shields.
Here’s a rundown of what you can do to beat the flu:
Listen to Your Mother
A lot of us doubt traditional motherly advice. Obviously, a vaporub cannot solve our health woes. But the food our moms typically suggest can be effective home remedies. American moms have Chicken soup. Filipino nanays have Tinola or Lugaw. This is mainly because the Garlic and Ginger in these soups have anti-viral, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. In addition to that, the broths have vitamins and minerals that keep us hydrated. But the best thing about these homecooked remedies is that our mom made them and the warmth of their love and the warmth of the food comfort us like a warm embrace.
Get some nutrients
Nutrients are necessary to maintain our immune system but they can also be immunity boosters. There are lots of these in fresh fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. Other foods that possess special immune-boosting properties are honey and berries. Honey has anti-bacterial properties while berries contain natural antioxidants that are good for the body.
Nutrition is also a matter of what not to eat. Staying away from colds means staying away from sugar as it can aggravate and worsen inflammation. Fatty and greasy fast food are also out of the equation. They can also affect inflammation in your body negatively.
Take a Walk
If it’s just colds and you have no fever, exercise can improve your immune function by elevating white-blood-cell activity. Our white blood cells then attack the viruses so we can recover faster. Exercise also opens your nasal passages and can relieve nasal congestion temporarily. Just don’t overdo it. That can be harmful as well.
Stress Less
Stress hormones have a huge impact on the immune response. Too much stress forces our immune system to go into overdrive, eventually forcing it to not work normally. You can counter stress with activities like listening to music, doing yoga, taking walks, laughing, a day in the spa and sleeping. Sleep can actually repair cells that assist in your body’s healing process. Eight to seven hours of sleep is ideal in most cases.
Supplement
Vitamins and supplements can assist in your body’s repair system. Vitamin A has retinol and beta-carotene which reinforce immune function. This can be found in sweet potatoes, carrots, mangoes, spinach, watermelon, and tomatoes. Meanwhile, Vitamin C contains antibacterial and antiviral properties. This can be found in strawberries, papaya kiwi, bell peppers, orange, broccoli, and grapefruit.
These few tips should impact your health greatly. Be mindful of your health and don’t let carelessness get in the way of you having a good time this Christmas or New Year. Happy Holidays and may you enjoy everything that comes with the festivities this time of the year!
If you have extreme colds or colds that last more than two to three weeks, SPC Med has doctors that can recommend a medicine that’s appropriate for your case. They can also check if your illness is a sign of a more serious condition. Call us now or email us.