Natural approaches may help your body resist infection and recover faster if you do get sick. Let’s look at some basic strategies:
Take care
Start by taking good care of yourself: Support your immune system by reducing stress and getting plenty of rest, fresh water, healthy food and exercise. (1)
Avoid refined sugars and carbohydrates.
Don't smoke.
Implement a daily stress-reduction program that helps you breathe a bit and laugh a little.
As simple as all this sounds, it appears that healthier, happier people may have more resistance to viral infections.
Give it a shot
Build up immunity with seasonal flu shots.
Please consult with your physician about this, especially if you are in a high-risk group (such as the elderly, young children, and people with congestive heart failure, asthma or diabetes).
Take a walk
In a recent study, postmenopausal women who performed moderate exercise for one year had a reduced incidence of colds. (2)
Make exercise a part of your daily life and make it fun. Buy a pedometer and try to walk 10,000 steps every day.
Let the sunshine in
People with higher blood levels of vitamin D have better immune responses and seem to be less susceptible to colds and flu.
In the summer, you can get all the vitamin D you need by exposing your arms and legs to sunlight for about 15 minutes without sunscreen three times per week. In the winter, a supplement of 1000 IU of vitamin D daily may help.
Keep it clean
Washing your hands frequently with soap and water is one of the most important preventive measures.
Remember that drying is as important as washing, because viruses are more likely to spread on wet surfaces.
Keep your respiratory passages moist and clean by staying well hydrated
Use a saline nasal cleaning system such as a Neti pot, Sinus Rinse or another nasal saline rinse available at pharmacies. Follow the directions in the package.
Keep your throat moist and clean with salt-water gargles.
Inhaling steam can be helpful, and it feels great.
Some people enjoy a sauna, but remember to stay well hydrated.
Finally, consider the old-time folk remedy of a nice hot bath. Adding three to four cups of Epsom salts to your bath water can be relaxing and soothing.
These strategies may be used not only for prevention, but also for treatment of colds and flu.
