We are a week into chillai Kalan (the harsh winter period)
and the weather is terribly cold. We’re are all coughing and sniffing and add
the regular power cuts to the winter woes. No one would like to fall sick and
have common cold at any cost. To avoid the horribly stuffy nose we need to
boost our Immune system. So, instead of staying away from sick friends, boot
your immune system and brace up the odds. We cannot entirely avoid it, but hey,
we can follow some super easy routines and find how best we can keep away from
it.
1. Avoid Stress.
Enjoy life. Relax, laugh and avoid negativity. Stress and
depression can weaken your immune system and make you susceptible to
infections. We can’t control the factors that bring in stress in our lives but
can control how we react to them! Let go of the things that are bothering you
and pay attention to the ones that bring you joy. Take everything positively.
This is easier said than done but with great motivation we achieve do anything.
2. Eat balanced Diet.
Take care of what you eat and how healthy it is. You need
vitamins and minerals to support your immune system. Focus on eating whole
foods such as animal proteins( not to mention that to a Kashmiri, our meals are
incomplete without them) legumes, whole grains, nuts and seeds as well as fresh
fruits and salads.
Avoid processed foods and foods with artificial sweeteners.
Such foods suppress immune system.
3. Take antioxidants.
Apart from taking balanced diet, take sufficient amount of
vitamin C. Find out foods rich in vitamin C and include them in daily routine.
Do not just cram them in when you have hand not any since few months. That will
surely give you a bout of cold. This one must be planned ahead but even if you
have not planned it, you got to take them.
You can find these vitamins in foods like Broccoli, Almond
Nuts, and any Citrus foods.
4. Get enough sleep.
Get 7 to 8 hours of sleep a day. Make sure you do not waste
your precious time on social media and watching Netflix, a good amount of sleep
is highly recommended for healthy body and mind. Again it doesn’t mean you
sleep at odd times. Rest your biological clock (natural cycle). It can get hard
first but you will get this routine in few days. Listening to your body is
important.
5. Move those limbs!
A regular exercise routine keeps the sickness away. Workout
will keep the flu away and help your Immune system to get strong. It relaxes
the body and mind.
I do not mean you to do heavy cardio and overdo it, just
simple and easy exercises, that will let you move your body enough to keep it
healthy. If you can do even that, than take a brisk walk for 20 to 30 minutes
everyday!
6. Soak up some sunlight.
Winter is no reason to stay indoors (wearing Pheran and
hugging Kangri) instead, go out and soak up some sunshine. Sunlight is a great source
of Vitamin D, it not only helps your immune system but also helps your nails
and hair grow.
Try to go out few times a week into the sun and get a
vitamin D recharge.
7. Drink plenty of clean water.
Winter or not, staying hydrated is one of the best things
you can do for your health. It helps in production of lymph which carried white
blood cells throughout our body. And hence, fights bacteria and infection
causing germs.
You can add some lemon to it and boost it a bit more.
You can also take Lassi (made from curd and water). It keeps
your body hydrated too.
How do you avoid the dreaded common cold? Let us know
in the comments section below…
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I will see you in the nest post.
Bye!
