Have Yourself A Healthy Little Holiday
Like clockwork, each year during the holiday season, I get a cold.
It could be the stress of family commitments, the anticipation of Christmas, the change in weather or the plethora of holiday goodies that don’t always include nutrients needed to stay well.
In my opinion, and because there is no cure for the common cold, the best you can do is shorten the duration and prevent a more serious illness from developing. Here are a few tips that, if initiated immediately, will give you relief and help you to have a healthy start to the holiday season.
1. Take vitamins like Echinacea, zinc and vitamin C when signs of sniffles first occur. These vitamins and minerals come in drops, capsules or nasal sprays and give your immune system an immediate boost.
2. Get plenty of rest. That may mean taking a sick day to stay in bed ALL DAY! Do it – and don’t feel guilty about it. Taking a day off to begin the healing process will likely allow you to work more days in the end.
3. A steady diet of citrus, hot tea and chicken soup is mandatory. If you don’t have an appetite, don’t eat but keep the herbal teas flowing. They are full of anti-oxidants and will keep you hydrated while you’re on the mend.
4. Give yourself permission to miss a holiday event and enjoy a quiet and restful night in. This is not a problem for me but I know some folks that would rather die than miss a social gathering with friends and family.
If you continue to be in contact with other people you will be exposing yourself to even more germs. Furthermore, late nights rob you of a restorative slumber.
5. Although you may not feel like exercising, an easy walk outside or some stretching will help to release viral toxins and will also relieve some holiday stress. Got excuses? Please refer to last week’s article.
6. Exposure to the sun will help the body produce vitamin D which is necessary in the effective absorption of other vitamins that relieve cold symptoms. Just sitting on the porch or deck with a warm blanket and a cup of tea can rejuvenate and replenish your immune system.
7. Pace yourself! When you are finally feeling normal again and your energy level is up to par, do NOT attempt to make up for the lost time. A cold can return just as quickly as it left and will likely be more severe than the last. To get caught up ask for help from a family member, friend or colleague and be patient.
Put a stop to pesky holiday colds. Get adequate rest, take vitamins that boost your immune system and eat LOTS of fruits and veggies—even at holiday gatherings.
For questions or comments please email: suzannemcginnis@me.com