BookJingle Blog

Cold and flu season is upon us, folks! That means along with some nasty weather, you might also experience some nasty sicknesses. Coughing, runny noses, sore throats, and fevers. We all know that being sick is no fun. Of course, getting a flu shot is a good way to stave off certain strains of the flu, but there are other things you can do to try and stay well. There are ways to prevent sickness, and even foods that boost your immune system.

In order to prevent sickness, be sure to do all of the following:

• Wash your hands often. Use soap, lather up, and scrub for 15 seconds.
• Sleep! Those who are sleep deprived have compromised immune systems, and are more susceptible to sickness.
• De-stress. Like those who are sleep deprived, those of you who are stressed are more likely to get sick.
• Drink more water.
• Disinfect surfaces daily.

In addition to the previous tips, the following foods have been shown to actually boost the immune system. Of course, I don’t recommend eating them all in one dish, but that’s up to you.

• Garlic
• Kiwi
• Shiitake Mushrooms
• Sweet Potatoes
• Brazil Nuts
• Sunflower Seeds

It’s not always possible to keep the cold away. So, if you still end up getting sick, just use these suggestions to make it a little less agonizing than it already is:

• Take it easy. Listen to your body, and only do what you feel ready to do. Don’t do too much too fast, or you risk allowing the illness to drag on.
• If possible, start treatment within the first 24 hours of being sick. It is much easier to kick an illness during the first few hours than it is later.
• Ask for help. If you need something (soup, ginger ale, a good magazine), don’t be afraid to ask others so you don’t risk spreading your germs at the drugstore.
• Get a new toothbrush, especially after a bacterial infection. The infection may actually stay on the brush even after you are better.

And we all know that when you’re sick, there’s nothing more comforting than a bowl of warm soup. Here is a link to over 20 recipes for comforting soup that will make you feel better, if only for a little bit. Stay well!