Just like turning on the heat or putting snow tires on your car, you can pretty much schedule the flu on your winter calendar. During these drier, colder months, you may be especially susceptible to the myriad of bugs and germs floating around the school, grocery store or office. Wouldn?t it be nice if you could bypass those dreaded and debilitating days of body aches, runny nose, congestion and fever this year?
In other words, are you sick of being sick? Do you feel like Peter Finch in the 1976 movie Network, who famously declared, ?I?m as mad as hell, and I?m not going to take this anymore??
If so, then I?ve got some thoughts for you on how to stay healthy.
1. Sleep the good sleep
Did you know that our bodies are genetically engineered to sleep at sundown and get up at sunrise? That?s our circadian systems talking, and we?d be wise to listen to them. Even if you can?t go to bed quite that early, the key is to get solid, uninterrupted, quality sleep for at least eight hours. Set the right mood by powering down all electronic devices and eliminating extraneous light, noise and distractions.
2. Go against the grain(s)
While food manufacturer-driven advertising fosters the belief that whole grains are a healthier alternative, there?s another school of thought that suggests that no grains at all just might be the best course of action. Simple carbs from bread, crackers, cookies and rice can trigger obesity along with numerous medical conditions, which makes going gluten-free a very appealing, and still tasty, option.
3. Curb your carbs
To paint all carbohydrates with the same brush would do some of the healthier members a disservice. While simple carbs and starches from breads and crackers should be minimized or eliminated, carbs on the other end of the health spectrum ? fresh fruits and vegetables ? are integral parts of a nutritional, well-balanced diet and should be consumed liberally. Eat fresh ? and eat up!
4. The raw truth
Our ancestors, the early cave dwellers, had it right when they were, literally, eating off the land. Many experts today cite the numerous health benefits of consuming a Paleolithic diet packed with raw, organic foods. If your digestive system is uncompromised and is functioning at full capacity, and all the food items that you?d be ingesting are safe to eat, go raw or go home.
5. Harness your habits
Most likely, anyone over-indulging in smoking, alcohol or street drugs is already well aware of the negative impact these leisure-time activities can have on their physical, mental and emotional well-being. But did you know that excess caffeine and salt can have similar deleterious effects on your health? Put down that coffee cup or salt shaker, and just walk away. No one has to get hurt.
6. Get your juices flowing
One of the foundations of optimal well-being is a smooth-functioning digestive system. Give yours an annual tune-up, looking for what may be problematic (presence of parasites or bacterial overgrowth) or missing (lack of enzymes.) If the latter is deficient, make sure that digestive enzymes and probiotics are prescription strength, not over the counter, medications. The adage ?go with your gut? speaks volumes.
7. Inspect, don?t infect
If you don?t know what?s wrong, there?s no way that you?ll be able to address it. Find and aggressively treat any chronic sources of infection or inflammation in key areas like the gut, sinuses, teeth and allergies, and consider surgical options for an inflamed root canal or deviated septum. Because if you really want to ward off the common cold, you?ve got to start with a healthy immune system.
8. Know your ABCs
If you think you?re getting enough vitamins, think again. The ?normal? amounts you may be getting from your diet or supplements just might not be enough, and sometimes their levels in your blood can be misleading. Vitamins are like the ABCs of good health ? consume adequate amounts of vitamins B12, C and D, as well as zinc along with copper (since zinc taken alone may hamper copper absorption.)
9. Stay the course
Good things come to those who wait. And although our present-day society is hardwired to expect immediate gratification, long-term lifestyle changes take just that: time. Incorporate these new behaviors into your routine gradually, monitoring their effectiveness and practicing them consistently. It may take years, but you should eventually reap the rewards of a healthier, more balanced way of living.
10. Doctor knows best
As with any change to your medical status, don?t make any health decisions without consulting your physician. He or she is familiar with your individual conditions, and can help you make informed choices that make good sense for your unique situation. The above tips are for information purposes only, and should not be construed as medical advice. That conversation you?ll have with your doctor.