The common cold is the reason why many students and employees alike absent most of the time. Since it is so common, why is it that it can hardly be prevented? Funny as it seems, colds are not taken seriously until it reaches its serious stage. Preventing common colds is so easy that you do not have to take any kind of medication at all. Just follow the simple tips below and enjoy life without common colds.
- Drink lots of water. Yes, often read and said but only a few follows this simple rule. Water flushes out toxins from the body and rehydrates it. Actually, this is a general rule in prevention of any kind of disease since proper hydration keeps the immune system strong and makes you feel better. Drink chlorine-free water. Chlorine kills intestinal flora that are beneficial to the body. Good intestinal flora helps keep proper digestion, therefore, effective nutrient absorption.
- Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Another general rule, but so effective. However, most people actually believe that drinking Vitamin C in tablets or capsule is enough to make them “colds proof”. No study supports the idea that a generous intake of Vitamin C can ward off any viral infection. But, studies show that three to five servings of fruits and vegetables daily can strengthen the immune system, thus, protect the body from sickness like common cold. What is the difference of taking in Vitamin C capsules/tablets from eating fruits and vegetables? The answer is this: vitamin C alone cannot protect you. But the vitamins present in fruits and vegetables like A, E and flavonoids all work together with vitamin C to keep the body healthy.
- Keep away from persons with cold. This might be difficult especially if you are sharing the same house and bedroom. To protect yourself, keep kitchen utensils sanitized. And if possible, do not share the same bed with a sick person. Cold virus can be easily transferred from one person to another.
- Wash your hands and use hand sanitizer when you are in public places. You ought to know that there are more germs in your hands than in the air. This is why it is essential that you keep your hands away from your nose and mouth unless you have cleaned them, as well as under the nails. It is better if you use disposable hand towel than using the hand dryer as drying the hands is important in keeping the germs away.
- Be equipped with umbrella or jacket during hot or cold season. Avoid too much hotness or coldness in temperature as this may weaken your immune system.
- Keep your body especially your feet warm during cold season. Cold feet can affect the functioning of your nose walls. The nose walls help the filter the bacteria from coming in. When the feet are cold, the nose walls contract. Thus, they become dry and cold; this stops the glands from filtering germs and bacteria.
Keep the immune system healthy and the mucous membranes working properly to prevent catching colds. These are all easy to follow. If you do not take colds seriously, this may lead to worse cases.
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