Is it normal to never get sick?
Without the need for a sniffle, they make it through the
winter. They travel unharmed in contaminated aircraft. Moreover, they manage to
dodge the stomach viruses that kill the workplace.
Do you aspire to be one of those people that never get
sick? Try one of these tips, or even better, all of them, to strengthen your
immune system.
Getting
a massage
The majority of research indicates that massage therapy can
lower stress levels, blood pressure, and heart rate. Reducing stress levels is
one of the keys to boosting immunity.
Ensure
that it works for you: As long as you request modest pressure, any
kind of rubdown is OK. The therapist's touch ought to be firm enough to move or
indent skin but not painfully so.
The advantages of a good massage are, of course, available
without leaving your home. Many instruments are available for use at home,
besides this acclaimed Deluxe Neck and Shoulders Massager from Homedics.
The frequency of your massage needs is. Although there is no
science behind it, experts agree that once a month is plenty. For information
on whether it is covered by your insurance, check with your provider. You may
also look for massage schools that offer reduced rates.
Take a
chilly shower
Cold showers are said to help with low energy, migraines,
oxygenation, and pain management, according to devotees. Although Mary Ann
Bauman, MD, the author of Fight Fatigue: Six Simple Ways to Maximize Your
Energy, believes there is no harm in giving cold showers a try, the scientific
community is still divided on the topic.
Ensure
that it works for you: Try out little doses. Although a 10-minute
cold shower might be bearable in the summer, you might prefer to choose a
1-minute blast at the end of a warm shower in the winter. If you have heart
issues, go to your doctor even though a sudden chill might raise blood
pressure.
Use
ginger.
For many gastrointestinal issues, including constipation,
ginger has been the go-to root for generations. Its constituents are thought to
increase intestinal muscle tone, stimulate digestive secretions, and aid in the
movement of food through the gastrointestinal system.
Ensure
that it works for you: According to Sari Greaves, RD, of New York
Presbyterian Hospital-Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York City, fresh
ginger is best consumed either raw or in tea. However, ginger can also be
useful in other forms (cooked, dried, or pulverized).
Wash
your hands with soap and water
The best preventative measure you can take to avoid catching
one of the 1 billion colds that Americans catch each year, according to the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is to wash your hands frequently.
not to mention the pathogenic microorganisms that cause foodborne illnesses like
salmonella and E. coli.
Ensure
that it works for you: For at least 20 seconds, wash with ordinary
soap and warm water (the time it takes to sing "Happy Birthday"
twice). Scrub your hands thoroughly all over, not just the palms, and look
under your fingernails for any dirt that may be lodged there. Dry using paper
towels, or assign a cotton hand towel to each member of the household.
Start
taking zinc and vitamin C.
Although the effectiveness of vitamin C and zinc in
preventing colds is still debatable, some studies suggest that these nutrients
are beneficial, particularly for those who are under a lot of stress. In
addition, zinc has been shown to stop the spread of viruses. There is no harm
in trying, according to experts.
Ensure
that it works for you: At the first indication of a cold, Neil
Schachter, MD, director of respiratory care at Mt. Sinai Medical Center in New
York City, advises taking a moderate dose of vitamin C (500 mg per day). (The
Institute of Medicine suggests setting a limit of 2,000 milligrams per day to
prevent gastrointestinal or kidney issues.) When a cold first appears, Dr.
Schachter advises taking zinc lozenges many times per day.
In fact, eat more garlic
Carmia Borek, Ph.D., research professor in the department of
public health and family medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine in
Boston, claims that garlic is a food that is high in antioxidants that
strengthen the immune system and reduce inflammation. That suggests the herb
probably aids in preventing cancer and enhancing heart health in addition to
bolstering defenses against common illnesses.
Get the
most out of garlic: There are many people who worry about having
unpleasant breath and burps. There are choices available that thankfully have
fewer adverse effects. According to Borek, the aged-garlic extract is a fantastic
odor-free substitute that also contains a higher amount of the powerful
components that make garlic a superfood.
Maintain
a positive mindset
In one study, participants who displayed increased activity
in a brain region linked to optimism produced more flu antibodies. The link
between the two is unclear, but according to Anna L. Marsland, Ph.D., head of the
Behavioral Immunology Laboratory at the University of Pittsburgh, "the
brain communicates with the immune system, and vice versa."
Ensure
that it works for you: Even if you don't constantly think
positively, you may at least train yourself to think less negatively, according
to experts. When you do get sick, try not to focus on your symptoms too much
and avoid making negative assumptions (like telling yourself, "I always
get sick this time of year" or "This cold blows the whole
week"). Marsland asserts that although you probably didn't alter your
personality, you can alter your actions.
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