Summer is the time when you should be having all the fun in this world – saying yes to every pool and outdoor party, going to the beach, and generally getting your summer groove on. The last thing you need is a fever, followed by sniffling, coughing, sneezing, and feeling achy and fatigued. This is the time to say yes (!) to every invitation, as oppose to canceling plans and feel even worse because everyone else is having fun while you’re passed out under a blanket with tissues all over the room. So, how do you nip the cold or flu in the bud and salvage your summer? Stay tuned and follow our foolproof advice.
Alive and in color
One of the things that usually come as one of summer’s perks are endless barbecues at yours or someone else’s garden or even on road trips. While protein intake is important, greenery is actually more essential to your health. The pigments found in fruits and vegetables contain the antioxidants and nutrients your body needs to have a strong and healthy immune system. So, in this case, more is more, and the richer the color palate on your plate is, the better your body will do at fighting off illness. Now, it’s understandable that you don’t have the time to prepare a vibrant meal every single day, and that is why natural health supplements and vitamins make for a great addition to your diet, just in case you can’t always be bothered with eating healthy.
Let’s get physical
If you thought that just because your body is beach-ready you can now put exercising on hold and just indulge is some summer fun, well, you thought wrong. Exercise is vital to your keeping your immunity in spick and span shape. According to MedlinePlus physical activity may help flush bacteria out of the lungs and airways and thus reduce your chance of getting a cold, flu, or other illness. Exercise also slows down the release of stress hormones that are potential culprits of illness. So, have your share of fun, but don’t forget that your body needs to be on the move to stay strong, so don’t stay lazy for too long.
Tea, in this heat?
Oh, yes, even when it’s smoldering hot, you need a cup of black or green tea in your hand. Sip slowly and enjoy the perks this simple yet miraculous beverage brings about. Throw in honey in the mix as well, because this magical liquid is full of antioxidants that are ready to fight off any pesky enemy. So, pretend to be posh and British, sip your tea and breath in the steam; this stimulates the cilia—the hair follicles in the nose—to move out germs more efficiently.
Health in a bottle
Whether you’re at the gym, public transportation, a park bench, a café – every place is crawling with bacteria and who knows who has put their hands on the same surface as you. This is why it’s paramount that your have antibacterial wipes or hand gel with you at all times and use them after touching every possible surface and prior to touching your face. Germs are everywhere, but with these helpful sidekicks you can kill most of them before they even come near you. Also, sanitize every surface that you share with anyone – your computer keyboard, doorknobs, elevator buttons, and armrests on your chair. Do this at least once a week, even if it looks clean to the naked eye.
Relaxing and powerful
This last tip is something you’ll embrace with open arms, or flat on your stomach to be precise. Get frequent massages! Not only do massages help you relax and get rid of all the stress and tension, plus they’re plain enjoyable and indulging, but they also do wonders and boosting your immune system. This is all because massages, among other benefits, improve your blood circulation and nourish cells with more oxygen and blood. There’s nothing not to love about this.
