Winter is coming. You know what that means. Snow is falling, Santa’s are ho-ho-ho-ing, the winter wind is blowing, and fevers are growing. Winter is notoriously known for its ability to get you sick. Though you can find many good things from the winter months, such as the beauty of snowfall and the holiday season, you won’t be able to enjoy any of it without your health. You might look to get a flu vaccine for the winter, but with the flu vaccine getting less and less effective each year you shouldn’t rely wholly on medicine to keep you safe this winter. In this article we will address several simple things you can do to naturally safeguard your health this winter.
Eat Right
Every nutritionist I have ever met has always been a huge proponent of taking a daily multi-vitamin. But why? Aren’t multi-vitamins just for the elderly and the malnourished? Most people are slightly malnourished in one or two important vitamins or minerals without knowing it. It’s not uncommon for people to feel fatigue out of nowhere because of a calcium or potassium deficiency. Having all the vitamins and minerals that your body needs will keep you healthier and keep you from getting sick over the cold winter months. For example, Vitamin C is known for being able to boost the immune system. There are many supplements that can substitute for diet. A multivitamin, for example, can go a long way to prevent health problems. Another way to increase your immune system is to buy a health drink. Aloe Products Center, for instance is a company that focuses on nutritional immune health formulas that are perhaps the best out there in helping prevent, and even treat sickness. It also has a number of other benefits that have helped me maintain my health.
Keep Your Blood Pumping
Exercise is one of the healthiest things that you can do for your body. It keeps your heart and organs working properly, it shapes your body properly, and it decreases health risks. On top of this, regular exercise will also greatly help your immune system. Physical activity in general helps to flush bacteria out of the lungs and airways therefore decreasing your chances of picking up the cold or a flu. Working out also helps your antibodies and white blood cells work harder, thus helping them locate and eradicate dangerous bacteria faster. For most people the hardest part of working out is getting started. A little trick that helps me, is to tell myself that I’m just going to work out for five minutes. Then usually once I’ve got my workout clothes on it’s a lot easier to be motivated to get a workout in.
Friends and Family
A common misconception is that to stay healthy, you should keep yourself away from other people during the winter months, and therefore you will also stay away from their germs, keeping you safe from getting a cold. There is truth to this in that there is excess bacteria around large crowds, but honestly it usually won’t affect a normal, healthy adult. The truth of the matter is that having a good social life actually increases your health. Studies have found that people who have more close friends tend to live longer, be happier, and get sick less. But why is that?
Destress and Declutter Your Life
Many scientists believe that friendships actually help lower stress, and increase serotonin levels in the brain. This causes the immune system to work more effectively in the body, thus helping with our health. Being with close friends, family, and building stronger friendships with acquaintances will actually do more good for your health than bad. Whether you have an important interview approaching or it’s the big final coming up, stress can alter the way we think and feel. Stress isn’t necessarily a bad thing. We can have good stress in our life so long as we allow it to motivate us. But too much stress can really take a toll on us. Stress creates tension on not just our mind, but also our body. This can cause us to have difficulties sleeping. It can decrease hormone levels, and it can even lead to depression. Chronic stress can be extremely devastating, and unless you give attention to the situation, it can lead to much worse problems. Stress also causes the immune system to weaken, as the body puts its energy into trying to regulate mood. This can cause the body to weaken and succumb to sickness easier. For serious issues, consult a professional. For other issues, try meditation, or prayer. People have found that even if you don’t believe in an entity, expressing your thoughts out loud (such as in prayer) can decrease stress and bring a feeling of equilibrium into your life. Oh, and did I mention exercise? Don’t put more pressure on yourself than you know you can handle. If you just have too much on your plate, delegate. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from your friends, family or coworkers. Giving them the chance to help will allow them to be more healthy as well. Getting sick is one of the worst things to have to deal with. You feel trapped in your own body. By abiding by these simple tricks you can keep yourself from getting ill this holiday season. Don’t let yourself become subject to bad health. Start today by living a happier, healthier life.