A Preventative Approach to Battling Winter Runny Noses

Winter is upon us, which means we are in the midst of cold & flu season. Being a student of Holistic health care I believe in taking care of my body so I can avoid getting sick if at all possible.  Here are a few tips to help prevent the runny noses & sinus infections that seem so prevalent this time of year:

1. Use the humidifier you have had stashed away in the closet or basement. We have all bought these machines, we just never remember to use them. The moisture in the air will not only help your sinuses, but will also help your home feel warmer. I like to add a few drops of fragrance oil to the one in my bedroom. If I'm feeling stuffed up a blend of eucalyptus & mint seems to help nicely.
2. Use a Neti-Pot. Both my doctor and favorite Yogi recommended using this and it works great. Sounds a little gross and intimidating at first, but they really do work. basically they flush & clear out blocked sinus passages with a salt water solution. They're great for people with allergies or who get frequent sinus infections.They are available in plastic or ceramic models. 

Touching the telephone and door handles are two of the fastest ways to catch and spread the cold or flu. They are like germ magnets. be sure to hit them with some rubbing alcohol or an antibacterial wipe once a day.
Make sure you get your body's much needed daily dose of sleep.If your body is too worn down, it won't have the extra energy it needs to fight off an infection.
Eat your winter veggies. Having a strong immune system has a lot to do with the fuel you feed to your body. We tend to forget about all the wonderful, vitamin & antioxidant rich veggies available during this time of year: beets, dark leafy greens (which are full of vitamin d, key to aiding your immune system), pomegranates.....Keep your eyes peeled for some recipes over the next few weeks.

Wash your hands..... frequently.








Stay hydrated. Cranked up heating systems tend to help suck the moisture out of our skin. Be sure to drink at least eight glasses of water each day. Teas count toward this goal as long as you drink them plain. I love drinking Stash's green chai tea to help warm me up & keep me hydrated.
Snack on almonds & sunflower seeds. Not only are they full of vitamin E, an antiocidant that fights free radicals & keeps skin young- looking, but they are also a great source of essential fatty acids which help keep the body systems running smoothly. 
Make sure you're getting your body's full dose of much needed B vitamins and zinc. (even if it means taking a supplement or two).
Lastly, don't overlook the power of complex carbs such as beans, whole grains and sweet potatoes. Our bodies need these carbs for energy and when not enough is present, the body starts cannibalizing other tissues for the power needed to function. This creates a deficit somewhere else in the body, weakening defenses along the line and creating a toehold for invading germs.
Hopefully you haven't gotten a cold yet and you can use these tips to stay healthy. Look for thh follow up to this blog with natural remedies to help your cold symptoms , coming next week.