Flu and Cold Season – How to Minimize the Impact How do you catch a cold, open a window and in fluenza! Besides all the warnings of washing our hands often and getting the flu shot there are natural ways that are effective. However, being healthy does not stop an individual from illness or disease. Being healthy minimizes the impact, helps shorten the duration and makes dealing with the symptoms easier. Stress is a major factor in the proliferation of illness and disease so I recommend distressing by exercising regularly. Exercise not only tones you but it also helps release those nasty stress hormones such as cortisol and norepinephrine. Eat nutritiously throughout the day, drink plenty of fluids like warm water with lemon and stay away from processed sugar which shuts down your immune system. Sleep is another major factor in the repair and maintenance of not only our minds but our bodies. Most of us require at least eight to ten hours of quality sleep. That being said going to bed at one in the morning and sleeping for eight to ten hours is not quality sleep. Sleep should occur no later than ten in the evening. The bedroom itself should be comfortable, not too hot not too cold and there should be minimal distraction from sound and light. This type of sleep is both restorative and reparative to the human mind and body. Food plays an integral role in helping us throughout the day. Food not only sustains us it also helps repair damaged cells and fuels our bodies and our minds. Skipping breakfast is one of the worst things a human can to there body. Breakfast is a break from a fast, a break from not eating or drinking for at least eight hours. Eating foods that are nutrient dense like cruciferous vegetables (green leafy veggies), veggies rich in colors like red (red pepper), orange (carrots), all kinds of fruit (apples, oranges, bananas, mango), lean protein or for some, plant protein, complex carbohydrates, healthy fat and plenty of water will not only help you maintain a healthy mind and body, it will help you fight illness and disease and keep those unwanted pounds off. Supplements such as vitamin C, vitamin D (the sunshine vitamin), vitamin E and vitamin B as well as minerals like selenium etc‌will help deal with the stressors of the day. Supplements are meant to augment an already healthy immune system. Supplements are not meant to be a replacement for poor eating habits and the lack of exercise. Always consult a Nutrition Consultant before starting a supplementation program. Ian Harris is a Registered Nutritional Therapist, Natural Nutrition - Clinical Practitioner, Certified Wellness Coach, Certified Food Psychology Coach (Hon), Certified Personal Fitness Chef, Personal Professional Chef and has a Diploma in Nutritional Counselling (Hon). 1
As well, Ian holds many other certification and specialties within weight management, wellness & nutrition and specializes in both Lifestyle & Weight Management and Nutritional & Lifestyle Oncology. Ian recently put his life’s work into practice by losing 55lbs pounds. Ian writes a bi-weekly health column in the Arnprior Chronicle Guide and has written for the Canadian Association of Natural Nutritional Practitioners. Ian Harris has also been heard on local radio and has been featured on local television. A Healthy Tomorrow Starts Today! What Are You Weighting for? – Ian Harris
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