Cold Weather Skin Care Tips for Seniors
Welcome to the Assisting Hands blog, where we focus on providing useful information and tips to enhance the lives of…
If you find yourself sick this cold and flu season, here is a guide to the best natural remedies that can help you decrease the duration of your illness and lessen the symptoms. These are not meant to replace any advice you receive from your health care professional but rather some ideas for those who lean towards a natural approach to boosting the immune system.
Rest. Rest. And Rest Some More
Rest is essential for a speedy recovery. Most everyone knows that rest is needed when recovering from an illness, but not everyone gives themselves the recommended amount of rest needed.
Pushing yourself too far too fast can decrease the immune system, which in turn will cause cortisol levels to rise. This decreases the efficiency of the immune system. When our bodies are healthy, they can quickly adapt to this stress over time, which is how we find ourselves getting stronger and building more muscle, and increasing endurance. However, if the immune system is already weakened and trying to fight off a bug of some sort, the bug may worsen as the immune system is not fighting back with full force. The body is stressed when you are sick, so adding any extra exertion can make you sicker.
The importance of rest cannot be emphasized enough. SLEEP! Sleep is the most beneficial thing you can do for your body every day, especially when sick. Sleep is a restorative process that helps the body slow down, heal and recover. Sometimes relaxation, rest, and even sleep may not come easy, but it is highly encouraged when sick. If you are someone who does not find resting easy, try to add in some practices that promote relaxation: listen to calming music, read a book or magazine, put your phone and other electronics away, meditate, take a hot bath and do what you need to do to make yourself comfortable.
Hydrate
Fluids help loosen congestion, prevent dehydration, and flush the cold and flu bugs right out of the system. Warm fluids are particularly beneficial as they soothe the throat and break up congestion more effectively. Two excellent warm beverages for fighting the flu are hot teas and bone broth.
Hot Teas. Incorporating hot teas into your recovery not only helps you hydrate but also coats and soothes the throat and breaks up congestion while moistening mucus membranes. Want to add some antibacterial and antioxidant boosters to your tea? Add is some honey for the little extra health benefits and flavor. Honey also soothes the throat and acts as a natural cough suppressant. All herbal teas are beneficial, but a few have some specific properties that are more beneficial for healing your body from the cold or flu.
Bone Broth. Bone broth is delicious and packed with powerful nutrients: iron, potassium sodium, vitamin C, selenium, and magnesium. Bone broth contains crucial amino acids that are essential when boosting your immune system. So, by drinking some warm bone broth, you are getting a big bang for your buck by hydrating, drinking warm liquids, and getting a significant nutrient boost. Sip it throughout the day or use it as a base for a soup!
Elderberry Syrup
Elderberries have become increasingly popular over the past few years regarding health benefits during cold and flu season. They are high in antioxidants and anthocyanidins, which gives the berry its beautiful dark purple color. These compounds boost that immune system. They, too, have anti-inflammatory properties and incorporating elderberry syrup a few times a day gives you a big punch of immune-boosting to help your recovery. There are many recipes out there to make your own syrup, or you can purchase from your local drug store or farmers market.
Vitamins
Vitamins and minerals are essential and support overall health, but the right combination makes one of the best natural remedies for the cold and flu.
With cold and flu season upon us, and if you do find yourself falling ill, hopefully, these natural remedies will bring some relief and help you get over a cold or flu more quickly.
If you or a loved one living alone have fallen ill this flu season and require personal care, consider Assisting Hands Home Care. They provide professional and compassionate caregivers who can help with meal preparation, groceries, shopping, and a complete list of other in-home care services. Find our list of locations by visiting https://assistinghands.com/location-list/
Written by: Lauren Foster
Welcome to the Assisting Hands blog, where we focus on providing useful information and tips to enhance the lives of…
Winter, often perceived as a time for hibernation and indoor activities, can also be a season of joy and engagement,…
As the winter season brings in the chilly winds and freezing temperatures, it’s crucial to ensure our beloved seniors are…
A diet rich in antioxidants can help combat the detrimental effects of free radicals in our body. This smoothie is…