Make Sure You Don't Catch a Cold

As long summer days give way to autumn, the common cold season will soon be here again, so what can we do to protect ourselves?


When it is colder outside there is a tendency for people to spend more time indoors. This encourages common cold and other viruses to spread from person to person. One infected person can soon infect another - and another - and another, and so on, until pretty much everybody is infected, but it doesn't really need to be that way.


There are more than a hundred viruses that can cause the common cold, which can probably manifest itself in as many symptoms. These range from runny noses to more serious implications including sore throats, headaches, blocked passages and general debility.


Most people will get a cold sometimes, whilst some will go from one cold to another, with little respite. Some will feel only a mild effect whilst others will become quite poorly and be temporarily incapacitated.


So what can we do to protect ourselves from this annual onslaught? As with most afflictions, prevention is better than cure. A healthy lifestyle will help to build up your immune system and diet of course is important. You should include the recommended five servings of fresh fruit and vegetables per day all the time, and not just start to do so when you feel unwell. Your aim should be, not to get unwell in the first place. It is obvious that you should not smoke, but you should also strive to avoid smoky atmospheres. Take a break from the central heating by getting out in the fresh air, and taking a brisk walk. Regular exercise is good for you and will also reduce stress which can affect your resistance.


If your diet is deficient in any way you might consider taking a multivitamin. Much has been written about how Vitamin C can assist in combating common colds. Although you should get sufficient from your intake of fresh fruit and vegetables, you may benefit from a supplementary dosage, once an attack is under way. Some people consider Echinacea to be a successful preventative and treatment, whilst others have found blueberries and elderberries to be a natural help.


So, a well balanced diet, plenty of healthy outdoor exercise and avoiding getting overstressed should help you through the winter. By the way, do not forget to have enough sleep. But remember that by protecting yourself from the common cold, you will also be assisting in helping to protect yourself from less common, but more severe afflictions.


Tags:
common cold
natural health
common cold