Health Question: Cold season is now here but what can I do to prevent my family from getting sick?

I adore these proactive questions! Being aware of ways to prevent a cold, strengthening your immune system and knowing things to do if you do get sick, are great ways to have control of your overall health.
The immune boasting basics
1. Eat your greens…
And your yellows, blues, reds and oranges. Indulging your taste buds and body in a wide variety of colorful nutrient packed foods is the first step in giving your immune a fabulous fighting chance to combat any germs.
2. Drink herbal tea and water…
Quenching your thirst with fluids is an important in keeping your body hydrated and flushing out ( remember those emmunctories?) toxins. There are many delicious herbal teas flavors available and if plain water doesn’t excite you, try infusing it with some citrus fruit like oranges and lemons.
3. Take a time out…
Stress will depress and suppress ( ie: weaken) the immune system which in turn may lead to a possible cold. Take a few moments everyday to deep breath, take a warm bath or a stroll around your neighborhood.
If you get a cold or feel one coming on…
1. Sleep or take a nap…
Taking one day to nap and take care of yourself can prevent many many sick days.
2. Do hydrotherapy…
This a family favorite – magic socks. It will increase circulation which allows for your white blood cells to get to where they need to be optimally.
3. Botanicals and supplements…
Vitamin c, echinacea, garlic capsules are just a few of the products that will help keep your immune system strong. Remember to be supplement savvy though! And click here to have more of a detailed list that I suggest to my patients.
If you have a health question that you would like answered, please email me at drheather@drheathernd.com.
Here’s to your health!
Be well,

Dr. Heather Manley, who in 2001 received her medical degree from the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Oregon, is a practicing physician whose primary interest is preventative healthcare for families. She is the author of Human Body Detectives, her children’s educational series of story-telling books, ebooks, and iphone/ipad apps. She also promotes wellness and naturopathic healthcare on her website drheathernd.com. She lives on the Big Island of Hawaii with her husband and two daughters, and is currently at work on the next Human Body Detectives adventure.
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