the whole nut

have a healthy holiday season

November 4th, 2009

It’s been a busy, busy fall. But I’m not complaining- it’s been a good one! I did some cross-country traveling last month (my little sister got married!) with lots of meetings and appointments in between. I was on a roll! Then, it happened. I caught a cold.

Now, I hate admitting to being sick because it makes me feel like I did something wrong. I thought to myself: does this mean I let myself go? I even had someone exclaim “and you’re the healthy one!” Um…I blame the weather? (as a native Californian I feel this claim is valid whenever the NYC temp takes a dip)

Yes, I was sick. But I stuck it out (although my title may have tarnished a bit) and nearly a week later, I returned to my full health. Yes, a week later. This is because I don’t take medicine under normal circumstances (and I don’t consider a cold to be a huge threat to my body). No, I’m not a masochist, I just like to have my body heal itself by itself. I believe it boosts the immune systems when you make it work a little.

But, no matter your method for getting better, it’s always great to take preventative measures to avoiding getting sick altogether. Especially now as we enter flu season. Aside from eating your veggies, here’s a list of helpful tips for staying whole and healthy (courtesy of IIN):

- Get your Vitamin C, found in citrus fruits and Omega 3 fats, found in fatty fish
- Garlic, carrots and sweet potatoes, which are loaded with beta carotene, also pump up your immune system
- Probiotics, or the “live active cultures” found in yogurt, are healthy bacteria that keep the gut and intestinal tract free of disease-causing germs
- Add Vitamin E and Zinc to your diet for extra defense
- Take extra care of yourself by resting and reducing stress. Lack of sleep lowers immunity and increases your chances of getting sick, so get some sleep!
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and keep your hands away from your face
- Drink plenty of water and hot liquids, like green tea. Green tea is a super-charger for your immune system!
- And exercise to sweat out toxins and keep your immune system in tip top shape (I also like to sweat it out in the steam room when I can)

And there you have it! Try to think ahead this year so as to avoid any downtime. Your body will thank you! I was probably too busy traveling and moving around, and honestly, I should have at least popped an airborne in before that last red-eye… ah well, happens to the best of us!

Filed under: Healthy Tips

Tags: avoiding sickness, cold, flu, healthy, Healthy Tips, IIN, Institute for Integrative Nutrition, preventative care, probiotics, rest, sick, vitamin c, vitamin e, zinc