Cold Buster

1) Reduce Stress - Stress activates our para sympathetic nervous system, our flight or fight response. This response increases the hormone adrenaline, which then increases our heart rate and blood flow. Back in the day, we developed this response in order to increase our chances of survival when chasing down food, or running from becoming food. The body focuses on protecting all vital organs and functions when under stress, and all non-vital functions go by the wayside. Examples of non-vital functions are our immune system, reproductive system, etc.

As a result, if we want to stay healthy, we need to find ways to reduce stress...like practicing yoga,
getting more sleep, deep breathing, etc. :)

2) Neti Pot 1 -2x per day when you're not feeling well, use all of the time if you suffer from allergies.
If you don't know what this is, go to Walgreens or CVS and ask the pharmacist to show you
where it is in the store. Click on the link to learn more about this simple and easy remedy.

4) Avoid Antibiotics, Z pack, etc - I try to stay clear of antibiotics for the common cold or flu. By definition, antibiotics are anything that destroy bacteria or inhibits their growth. Sounds great, except that this means the antibiotics will kill ALL the bacteria in the body. Unfortunately, it can't tell the difference between the good stuff and the bad stuff. The good bacteria residing in our intestines and stomach lining actually help to prevent us from getting colds. Once you're on the antibiotic wagon, it's tough to get off. Keep the good bacteria up, keep your immune system primed, and the common cold might not be as common in your life!

5) Lastly, and I know we might not like this one, but eat HEALTHY. If it's impossible for you to eat healthy regularly, then at least try to feed your body with the good stuff when you're sick. The good news is, in the winter months, we need to eat more filling foods to protect our bodies from the cold. Avoid canned, processed and frozen foods and eat fresh fruits that are in season, vegetables, and root vegetables, (potatoes, raddish, carrots,) instead. If you're a meat eater, try to buy meat that is from grass fed or free range animals. Incorporate foods that include live bacteria, such as certain kinds of yogurt, to keep the stomach lining full of good cold-fighting bacteria. Most of our colds originate in our bellies!