Stay Well This Winter

Winter brings snow and the fun snow sports, along with holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas and Valentine's Day. But along with the fun comes the not so fun colds and flu. Probably the reason that the common cold is so named is because it is so common. Yet it is possible to survive the cold and flu season without coming down with a cold. One secret to doing this is building a strong immune system.

One enemy of your immune system is lack of rest. You may even notice that when some stressful activity demands that you burn the midnight oil, you catch cold shortly thereafter. During periods of deep sleep, your body is busy replenishing its stock of white blood cells. And white blood cells are your body's infection fighters. So it is important to get a good night's sleep. And it doesn't heart to work in a little extra. Sleep late on Saturday or Sunday guilt free. You aren't lazy; you are saving time, energy, and money for medical bills by strengthening your immune system.

Take some extra time to germ proof your home. Open your windows and air out your house. Stale, heated air invites germs and provides an environment for them to thrive. Mix bleach with water and wipe down doorknobs, telephones, and remotes.

And remember to sanitize toothbrushes. When toothbrushes are stored close together, in holders or a glass, it is easy for germs to transfer from one to another. And toothbrushes are also subject to contamination from airborne germs. Run hot water over your brush after use or rinse it in peroxide or mouthwash.

Encourage family members to wash their hands more often. They definitely need to do this after using the restroom and before and after eating.

Also, increase your intake of Vitamin C. Vitamin C helps strengthen delicate nose and throat membranes, preventing penetration by cold and flu germs. Vitamin E is also beneficial as it increases your immune system's ability to attack invading flu viruses.

Exercise, even in small increments, also helps power your immune system. This can be just a fifteen-minute walk in the morning, at lunch or after dinner. However, if you already have a cold or the flu, suspend the exercise until you are feeling better. One of the most effective treatments for a cold is extra bed rest.

Try to shop and do your errands at a time when the crowds are thinner. Many cold and flu viruses are airborne. In crowded stores you are exposed to other peoples' coughs and sneezes making it very easy to catch cold.

And when you use restrooms in public buildings, don't throw away the paper towel you dry your hands with. Save it and use it to open the door exiting the restroom.

Also, in addition to your daily Java, treat yourself to a cup of Ginseng tea. Researchers have discovered that 100 mg of ginseng taken every day can reduce your risk of catching cold or coming down with the flu. If you don't care for the taste of the tea, try a supplement. Ginseng is readily available in health food stores and nutrition centers.

Employing these simple strategies can ensure that you have a healthy, happy, sniffle-free winter.