Tips to Prevent Colds & Flu, Pt 1 - Lifestyle

*Due to the all the recent cold weather and because we're right in the middle of the season in which people are most likely to miss work due to sickness, I decided to research tips to help prevent colds, flu, and other illnesses. I found so much information I've decided to divide it up into 2 or 3 different posts. Part one (as you can see) involves tips for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

*Get plenty of exercise, especially aerobic exercise in order to strengthen your heart and carry oxygen from your lungs into the blood and the rest of your body. Exercise also causes you to perspire, which helps to naturally get rid of toxins in your body and helps your body to create cells which kill viruses.

*Get fresh air. During the winter people spend more time indoors. Central heating dries you out and makes you more vulnerable to viruses. So spend more time outside and open the windows and doors of your home for a few minutes each day to allow fresh air to circulate. This will help you to avoid catching airborne viruses.

*Drink plenty of fluids, including water and fruit juice. You should drink eight 8 ounce glasses of water a day. Drinking water helps to clean out your system and is crucial to maintain proper bodily functions.

*Maintain a healthy diet. Be sure you get enough fruits and vegetables, including green and yellow vegetables. And get plenty of vitamins (especially vitamin C) and foods that are high in antioxidants.

*Also, eat yogurt. Some studies show that eating a cup of yogurt each day can help reduce your risk of catching a cold by 25%.

*Avoid smoking. Smokers are more prone to getting colds, pneumonia, bronchitis, and other infections.

*Cut down on alcohol consumption. Alcohol suppresses the immune system and dehydrates you and could make you more vulnerable to disease and complications.

*Rest and relaxation. It is very important to get about 8 hours of sleep each night. Additionally you should try to spend about thirty minutes a day relaxing. Try meditation or deep concentration while listening to relaxing music or focusing on a particular image.

*Avoid stressers. Too much stress can seriously compromise your body's ability to fight infection.

Check back in a day or two for part 2 of this article!