Subscribe Feed (RSS)How to Escape from Colds and ‘Flu
June 15th, 2009 by admin | Filed under Uncategorized.How to escape from the worst of colds and flu
Yes it’s that time of year again when all about you is cold, dark, spluttering, sneezing and looking depressed…….
So what can you do to take better care of yourself? Prevention is better than cure! Colds are caused by viruses being spread around. So, take steps to avoid putting yourself in line to receive the dreaded little rhinoviruses!
When people sneeze (at speeds around 100mph or 160 kph) they are expelling thousands of these little viruses within the droplets. We only need to “receive” 1-30 of these to become infected. These get into the body through us breathing them in, getting them in our face or eyes, or through skin contact. Even when someone puts their hand over their mouth, they are transferring the viruses to their skin. These will stay active for some time, so can then be spread through handshakes or even by touching objects which someone else then comes into contact with.
Without becoming an obsessive compulsive, it is a good idea to wash your hands frequently, or at least to wipe them on a tissue. If someone sneezes just before you meet them and offers to shake hands, it is hardly polite to ask them to wipe their hand first! However, it might be sensible to find an opportunity to wipe yours, discretely, as soon as you can. Similarly, think about what might be incubating nicely on a keyboard, telephone touchpad or even door handles.
It is difficult to avoid the sneezes around us, especially at this time of year. So, do what you can to minimise your own contribution to receiving the germs! Some of the ideas below may help to build your resistance.
Manage the temperature changes inside and outside by wearing more/less clothing rather than relying on central heating. Run your central heating at lower temperatures and you save energy too!
Get out into any sunlight you can and take a brisk walk to recharge - or at least into the fresh air.
Eat a reasonable breakfast each day with decent cereals, yoghurt, porridge, eggs, fruit.
Wash your hands, not only when near people with colds or sneezes. It may sound silly, but recent research shows that at least 30-40% of people do not wash their hands in toilets, preparing meals, and after public travel, handling pets & cleaning children [you get the picture!]. Regular cleaning of office equipment, electronic devices & desks can help reduce chances of infection. Have your wet wipes handy.
Blow away stress & winter blues with a smile at other people and to yourself, especially when you and others are tired, frustrated, irritable…..
Eat well, particularly warming, hearty, homemade meals.
Take a quality multivitamin throughout the winter and season changes.
We get often more tired over winter so develop a an evening and sleep regime which closes off business matters, includes your favourite relaxant [eg bath, music], reduces electronic influence in your bedroom and builds in exercise and eating well in advance of bedtime.
From the first signs of cold & flu symptoms…
Increase your levels of water, Vitamin C, garlic, green vegetables, fruit smoothies, berries, fish, nuts, soups, stewsStart taking at least 25mg of zinc Echinacea a probiotic, to maintain your digestive balance. Recent research also indicates success in reducing the extent of illness through a combination of Vitamin C, grapefruit seed extract & olive leaf extract. Sambucol has a good reputation for shortening ‘fluReduce dairy, alcohol, sugar, red meatOnly exercise lightly especially with a chest coldReduce your workload and take more regular breaksStay home from work or work from home, rather than infecting everyone else and not allowing your system sufficient recovery time. Struggling into the office as a “hero” with your sniffles and sneezes does no-one any favours! Take sensible steps to look after yourself - and best wishes for a healthy winter
Graham Yemm has over 20 years experience as a consultant. He and his business partner Bruce Hoverd run a UK based consultancy,
Tags: Heart, sleep, vitamin c
