How to Prevent Colds and Flues – Prevention is Key!

Since the flu season is upon us, it’s a great time to talk about preventing the flu.

Boost Your Immune System — Charge up your immune system with great herbs such as garlic, echinacea, propolis, honey, oregano oil, elecampane root, andrographis, elderberry juice, ginger, astragalus root, goldenseal, cayenne pepper, olive leaf extract, grape seed extract, acai berry, goji berries, camu camu berry, turmeric, ginseng, cat’s claw, ganoderma, cordycepes mushroom powder, cinnamon, cloves, reishi mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms, maitake mushrooms, omega 3 fatty acids, boneset… and green tea.

There are a few wonderful herbal immune boosting formulas on the market that contain many of these herbs. Taking them according to directions will keep you from coming down with the flu if you follow the rest of the advice below.

Vitamins — You need lots of vitamin in order for your immune system to function properly. Vitamins and minerals are needed for the body to ward off disease and without proper vitamins the body cannot create antibodies and thus prevent infections. Take a good multivitamin every day that includes vitamin C and zinc they are very important for a powerful immune system. Also take a good B-Complex vitamin… B-Complex contain Vitamin C and also lots of B vitamins that are extremely important for health and vitality.

Good Nutrition — Eating right creates a healthy body. The old saying goes, “You are what you eat” and if you are eating junk food and fast food your immune system is going to suffer and you will get sick sooner or later. Boost your immune system by eating lots of green veggies, drink green alkaline drinks to alkalize your body, and filling your plate with colorful food bursting with powerful bioflavonoids that will prevent disease.

Stay away from artificial flavors, colors, sweeteners, and food additives, hormone filled meats and dairy products, GMO foods, and always eat organic. Stay away from sugar… sugar stresses your immune system.

Probiotics — Take a probiotic supplement that creates large bowel health… thus all the good bugs in your gut boost your immune system. Remember antibiotics will kill off all the good bacteria in your gut… and you will get sick. Antibiotics are the last resort… they are not to be taken just because you have a runny nose.

Stress — When you get stressed your immune system goes down, and that opens the door for bacterial and viral invaders. Meditating twice a day for 15 minutes at a time will melt your stress away… and boost your immune system too. Also learning Qigong, Tai Chi, Yoga, and other relaxing ways of de-stressing your life will keep your immune system powerful!

Emotional Balance — Good emotional balance is needed to keep yourself from stressing out. If you get upset all the time, get angry, feel down, feel depressed… you eventually will get sick. There are a lot of great books on emotional balance that will help… or get some counseling… checking in with a good counselor will do your mind and body good.

Water – Drinking lots of water is important… when you get dehydrated you become stressed… and thus you open the door to diseases. If you feel thirsty drink water, but if you are thirsty then you are already dehydrated, so make sure to drink water on a regular basis all day long. Also coffee is dehydrating and will cause you stress out, tea on the other hand is not dehydrating (studies prove that tea is not dehydrating) and tea is full of lots of great polyphenols that will keep you healthy.

Exercise and Sun – Exercise at least one hour a day. Sitting for long periods of time will lower your immune system making you susceptible to disease. Get up and move! Walk, swim, ride your bike, weight train, do Pilates, what ever gets you out of your chair and gets you going. At the same time you’ll lose weight and enhance your mood. A little exercise will go a long way! Natural Vitamin D is also important for boosting your immunity, and the best way to get Vitamin D is to get out in the sun… that means exercising outside in nature!

Sleep – Get your rest, if you don’t rest you will get sick. Studies show that most people need 8 hours and 15 minutes of sleep every night. People need at least 7 hours or they will get sick. Some people need more, kids and teenagers need up to 9 hours of sleep. Without sleep your immune system will be compromised, so put the day away, you did enough for one day… and sleep.

Take Wellness Days Off – Taking a day off here and there will allow you to relax so you can rest, thus boosting your immune system. It’s interesting that in Europe doctors routinely write prescriptions for spa days… 1to 6 weeks at a time… and their patients come back feeling great!

When was the last time you took a 3 week vacation? When was the last time you took a 2 week vacation? And while on vacation did you relax? Or did you need a vacation when you got back from vacation? Learn to relax, vacationing is about feeling good.

There was a couple from London visiting Spain, and they were staying at a wonderful bed and breakfast inn. They would go out for a great day of walking, shopping, and enjoying the country side and cities. The next day they would stay enjoying the pool and relaxing… now that’s a great way to vacation!

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Dr. Paul Haider – Master Herbalist, Counselor, and Spiritual Advisor for over 20 years, helping people to recover and feel healthy. You can also find Dr. Haider on FB under Dr. Paul Haider, Healing Herbs, Center for Creative Living Church, Meditation for the Soul, and Relax Into Success, Punjab teas www.paulhaider.com.