If you have ever had a cold or the flu, you know how awful it is to have to stay in bed so that you give your body a chance to recover. The high temperature, the weakness in your bones and the vomiting make you feel helpless, sluggish, and you miss the days when you were healthier and happier. Here are a few tips to help you prevent getting sick or help you recover faster from that nasty common cold.
1. Keep your home clean
Keeping your environment clean is just as important to your recovery and your immunity as what you do to your body. Your home is your sanctuary and your body should be able to find refuge there. Keep it clean by sweeping and mopping the floors frequently. Use disinfectants like Dr. Clo that ensure that your home is protected from bacteria.
2. Exercise regularly
Regular exercise strengthens your bones, muscles and immune system. Take walks or go for runs and jogs, or even do workouts in the comfort of your home. They don’t have to be long or overly difficult. You can find ones you enjoy like dance workouts or yoga. Jump rope or go swimming, if you prefer those activities. Simply find a way to stay active for a few hours a week to help strengthen your body.
3. Eat well
Eating well gives your body the energy it requires to heal itself and fight whatever diseases may be attacking its immune system. Arm it with fruits and vegetables, carbohydrates and other crucial nutrients to ensure that it is able to function appropriately. Healthy, nutritious meals not only taste good, they also play a crucial role in your body’s security measures against infection.
4. Rest
Rest is just as important to your recovery and to your health as staying active. Sleep for at least 7 hours every night to give your body the rest it needs to recover from the day. It doesn’t help to work out all day and only sleep for three hours, because your body actually requires sleep to do any repair work it needs on the muscles. Take some days off training, if you are a very active trainer, and do something simple or non strenuous, like walking. A weak immune system can benefit greatly from a bit of sleep and a bit of ease.
5. Take care of your mental health
Your body may be in the best shape it has ever been in, but your mind also requires some help. Invest in a journal to write down your thoughts and feelings, or meditate as a means of relaxing. Read and draw as leisure activities if these help calm you down when you are feeling emotionally overwhelmed. If you are having trouble with your mental health, reach out to a trusted person or a counsellor to help you out. There is no shame in admitting when you need a little more help to be happier.
