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Top ten tips to beat the World Cup winter blues

25 June 2010 Liberty Medical

When winter strikes - and brrrrr we all know it has - so do colds and flu. But in the spirit of the World Cup we say it is time to fight back South Africa. Liberty Medical Scheme has some useful tips to beat the winter chills during this historic yet freezing world football celebration. Some are common sense really but others might surprise you.

Most of us grip the tissue box and pray for an air ticket to anywhere warm this time of year, but fortunately there is relief closer to home. It can be hard to think straight when your head feels like a pumped up football, so here are ten effective ways to help you repulse those nasty invaders and ‘kill the chill’.

1. Do not stress SA!
Stress is often cited as a nasty precursor to reducing your natural defenses, namely your immune system and leaving you more vulnerable to sneaky viruses. Think of stress factors as unwanted and advancing strikers in your goal area. So are you stressed? Is your favourite football team not performing as you would have hoped? If you feel run-down or over-stretched try a few stress relieving techniques to strengthen your immunity to colds and flu. Try breathing exercises, taking time for brief walks, leaving the office for a breath of fresh air and maybe treating your aching muscles to a warm bath and a good book.

2. Clean it up
The best way to stop the spread of colds and flu is to maintain strict hygiene, so make sure hands are always washed with soap, avoid sharing cups and cutlery, and invest in some antibacterial hand gel to keep from infecting others. Also keep a handkerchief handy and use it to minimize or prevent the spread of germs. Don’t sneeze over your fellow football supporters; they are probably depressed by the freezing cold enough as it is.

3. Breathe easy
Saline sprays and drops, as well as inhaling steam from a hot shower, can help ease nasal congestion. Try to avoid decongestants as they can dry you out and our winter air is currently dry enough as it is.

4. Say no to antibiotics
Colds are viruses and unfortunately do not respond to antibiotics, so resist the temptation to attack your pesky cold with non-effective treatments. Giving children counter cold and flu medicines is also a no-no, as there is little clinical evidence to support their effectiveness and they can leave the little ones with side-effects. If you are concerned about the intensity of your cold, seek advice from your GP.

5. Warm up
Keep the body warm by eating hot, nutrient rich food. Your immune system will thank you for it. Warm yourself from the inside out by drinking fresh tea such as honey and lemon tea, which has both antibacterial qualities from the honey and a high vitamin C content from the lemon. Why not take advantage of your cold with comforting soups, hot water bottles, fuzzy slippers, a soft robe and a warm beanie? Remember we lose a great percentage of our body heat through our bare heads, so cover it up. Warning: not a great look for the neighbors, so feel free to stay indoors, unless of course all of these bear the colours of your favourite football team in which case, go wild!

6. Drink your fill - of water that is!
An important part of flushing out bacteria and nasty cold and flu invaders – is the actual flushing! Keep water everywhere. Take a bottle to bed, to work and by your side while you read or watch TV. Water is vital to all bodily functions, so aid your natural defenses by providing the right tools. This does not include alcoholic beverages. Be advised football supporters, excessive alcohol consumption might make you feel better for a short period but it weakens your immune system and leaves you vulnerable to invaders.

7. Eat your vegetables and fruit
Avoiding fatty and oily foods, including butter and spreads, is difficult when you are fatigued and grumpy, but resist the urge to splurge, at least until after the departure of your cold or flu invader. Your body mends quicker and more efficiently with wholesome foods. Yes - your mother was right. Fruit and vegetables have natural antioxidants which are an incredible advantage in the battle against winter colds and flu. Dietitians swear that eating your veggies provides the necessary components to stave off illness. As the immortal Shakespeare advises, “Let food be thy medicine.” For example chicken soup made from scratch i.e. boiling the bones to make a stock, contains a natural painkiller and is very nutritious. Yes, your mother was right there as well!

8. Take care of your throat
Lozenges can help ease the discomfort of a sandpaper throat. That honey and lemon tea is also a soothing remedy for children with a cough, because it’s sweet as well as healthy.

9. The bogeyman
Don’t panic if you start seeing green or even yellow mucous. While green mucous is most likely not your favourite subject, it is an important part of reading your natural defences because it means the body is fighting off the infection. Parents tend to worry about this sign but it is a normal process and does not require medical attention. A cough is usually the last thing to leave and can last two weeks longer than the rest of the symptoms.

10. Rest and laugh your cold away
Colds and flu’s are often your body’s way of telling you to ‘slow down’. During a cold your bed is your best friend (and the alarm clock is your enemy). Do not feel guilty about taking that extra day to show your body you love it. This may help shorten the length of your cold. A positive mental attitude is also important and laughter is often the best medicine. If you are upset about your football team’s performance perhaps rent some funny DVD’s and have a good laugh in bed instead.

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