9 Surprising Ways To Stay Healthy This Winter
When the cold-and-flu season rolls around, we all look for ways to protect ourselves. Many of us follow the same prevention plan: get a flu shot, wash your hands, don’t touch your face, get plenty of sleep, eat right and exercise. But there are some other ways to stay healthy this winter that may surprise you. If you aren’t doing any of these things, it might be time to start:
Don’t immediately reach for the pills – Aspirin, ibuprofen, and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) work by suppressing natural protective compounds, including white blood cells, which are responsible for attacking invading germs. Try to avoid those drugs during the cold season unless you truly need them.
Get a massage – Researchers found that a soothing massage can reduce your body’s production of immunity-weakening stress hormones while increasing feel-good hormones like dopamine and serotonin by 30%. No time for the spa? Massage your own scalp, face, and neck using slow, circular motions for 10 minutes daily.
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Make time for tea – Studies suggest that you can produce three times more interferons, the powerful proteins that destroy viruses on contact if you drink 20 ounces of black tea daily. Let your tea steep for a few minutes before you sip because that helps release even more disease-fighting antioxidants.
Salt water gargle – It can help soothe a sore throat but you should do it even when you’re not sick. Scientists have found that swishing a mixture of 8 ounces of warm water and a half teaspoon of salt for at least 10 seconds twice a day can reduce your risk of viral infections by as much as 34%.
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Slow down and meditate – Taking care of your mental well-being can have a positive impact on your physical health. High levels of the stress hormone cortisol suppress your immune system, but mindful exercises like meditation and yoga can help counter that. Ommmm…
Take up crafting – Knitting, quilting, scrapbooking, it’s all good. Spending just 20 minutes a day working on a crafting project can strengthen your immunity by 76%, according to experts at Stony Brook University.
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Turn down the heat – When your furnace kicks on, the air in your home gets drier. Warm, dry air isn’t good for the essential mucous layer in your nose that helps keep germs out and protects you from viruses. You might also want to consider using a humidifier during the winter months.
Watch TV – Yes, really! According to researchers at Carnegie Mellon University, taking a relaxing 30-minute daily TV break can cut your risk of getting a cold or the flu by up to 80%. It has to do with suppressing the stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol. When you’re calm, your immune system is more effective. The operative word is “calm” so you should probably click past C-SPAN.
Wipe down your phone – Colds and flu are mostly airborne, but germs can still jump from your fingers to your phone and back again. About 30% of viruses on your phone’s surface can end up on your eyes, nose, and mouth. Clean the screen with a slightly damp microfiber cloth, which removes 100% of MRSA pathogens without damaging the phone. Remember to swab your phone case with a disinfecting wipe, too.
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