Not Getting Enough Rest

In our busy, hectic lives, we often sacrifice sleep in order to get everything done. Without a doubt, not getting enough rest is a sure recipe for poor health, as our bodies need an adequate amount of time to heal and rebuild. Most people need at least seven hours of sleep per day, so if you find that your schedule simply cannot accommodate a full night’s rest, try to take a brief nap or two during the day to compensate. That being said, a strict schedule that includes 7-9 hours of uninterrupted sleep, giving your body its best chance to stay in top condition and fend off viral invaders.

Overindulging During the Holidays

It’s the time of year for feasts and delicious treats, but overdoing it can severely tax your immune system. Gobbling down sweet foods sends the body into overdrive as it attempts to balance blood sugar levels, leaving few precious resources to protect your body against illness. And, while drinking at parties is part of the fun for some people during the holidays, every drop of alcohol adds a strain on the liver, one of the key organs in the fight against foreign viral invaders. Eat and drink responsibly, and enjoy your holiday treats in moderation, and your body will have the resources to protect you properly.

Stress

It has been conclusively proven that an excess of stress takes its toil on our immune systems, leaving us compromised and vulnerable to infections and illnesses. Whether it’s the stress of battling the crowds at the mall, or stress from overly strenuous workouts in response to over-indulging in holiday foods, our bodies and minds can only handle so much. Take it easy whenever possible, and carve out a few minutes to relax and reflect in between all the hectic activities of the holiday, and your body will reward you with robust health and fewer bouts with colds and other illnesses.

Skipping Your Workouts

While you definitely don’t want to over-compensate for eating holiday foods with too much time in the gym, it’s also a really bad idea to skip your normal workout sessions. Whatever your normal exercise and fitness routine, it’s always best to stick to your normal schedule, as it will reduce stress, help keep you fit, and blow off a lot of the stress and strain of the season.

Social Smoking

By now, we all know that smoking isn’t good for us. But many people pick up the habit, or vastly increase how often they smoke, during the holidays. After all, many people will agree that nothing goes better with a few party drinks than a cigarette. If you find yourself tempted to blaze through an entire pack, take a moment to step out and get some fresh air, remembering that every cigarette is putting a tremendous stress load on your health and immune system.

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The 80/20 Rule

This famous equation works equally well during the holidays. Give yourself permission to indulge in your favorite treats 20% of the time, while remembering to stick to your healthy diet and exercise regime the other 80% of the time. Many people celebrate the holidays by staying on their regular track during the weekdays, and then give themselves permission to indulge during the weekends.

Managed Indulgence

Saying no to your favorite holiday drinks and goodies can be almost impossible. But when you decide to give in and sample some of those delicious sugary foods, do so without a guilty conscience, but don’t let it get out of control. If you order a holiday drink at your favorite coffee shop, order a standard size, not the huge one. And if your coworker brings in a fresh batch of cookies, eat one or two, don’t bring a handful back to your desk.

Just a Taste

If a coworker or loved one is pressuring you to eat some wicked holiday treats, it can be hard to say no. Go ahead and put a little on your plate, but be sure to stay on track by filling the rest of your plate with vegetables and other healthy fare. If the pressure to eat every sugary, high-fat dish becomes overwhelming, try a polite excuse like, “Yes, I will try it later,” or “I’d love to eat more, but I filled up earlier.”

Being Different Makes You Stronger

While it may look like everyone around you is gorging themselves on unlimited holiday goodies, it is possible to stay strong by choosing to be different. Remember that in a few weeks that those people are going to feel stuffed, sickened, and force to vow to change their ways on New Years’ Day. If you can remain committed and on track during the holidays, transitioning to the new year will be a breeze. By remaining committed to a healthy diet and exercise routine, you might just inspire those around you to employ a little self-control.

Party With a Full Belly

Office and other holiday parties can be a real blast, but if you arrive with an empty stomach, it’ll be almost impossible not to overindulge on fat-packed goodies and sugary treats. Eat a healthy meal at home first, or bring your own lunch to work, and then you’ll have the power to resist all those tempting goodies. After the party is over, and the other guests are groaning and moaning, you’ll be glad you ate a healthy meal beforehand.

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Click Instead of Drive

With so many amazing deals now available online, you can find almost any gift within a few mouse clicks. Instead of fighting traffic and struggling to make your way through the crowds at the mall, budget some time in the comfort of your own home to find the perfect present. Many online retailers offer competitive prices and special deals that are equal to, or better than what’s available at brick and mortar stores. Many premium online retailers also can help you with gift ideas and suggestions when you’re unsure what to buy for a colleague or loved one.

Do Your Shopping During Non-Peak Hours

Sometimes, the perfect gift is only available at a local store or the mall. If you can, budget an hour or two off from work/school, or schedule an early lunch in order to hit the stores when it’s less crowded. Most of the time, you can easily dash in and dash out on a weekday morning, saving you time and effort.

The List

Trying to remember what to buy for whom is a daunting task even for people with great memories. Instead of trying to remember everything off of the top of your head, write down a list of gift ideas for each person, and keep the list with you. Then when you’re elbowing your way through the crowds, you’ll be able to keep on target and go straight to the items you want to buy. It’s also tremendously satisfying to check off each person’s name from the list, knowing your holiday season is under control and on schedule.

The Sorting Hat

If you’ve got a big family, or are buying gifts for co-workers, a great idea is to use a sorting hat. Simply write everyone’s name down and put the slips of paper in the hat. Then everyone draws a name, and buys a present for that person. This keeps the gift giving (and your budget) under control, while allowing you to spend enough time and effort to buy the perfect present.

Ask, And Ye Shall Be Answered

Although it might take some of the fun out of surprising a loved one with the perfect present, sometimes it’s just better to ask people what they want. We all know that adults rarely write lists to Santa, but a short list of items that a person would like to receive for the holidays can really help a lot. Not only are you assured that they’ll be happy with their gift, but having a list of requested gifts can also help you manage your holiday budget.

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Stay Hydrated

Drinking enough water and other liquids is one of those things that we all know that we are supposed to do, and yet we sometimes (oftentimes) fail to do it. All year round, including in the winter, people need at least one litre of clean, fresh water per day, and much more during hot weather or periods of physical exertion.

Every function and process in our body depends on an ample supply of water to function. When we stay hydrated, our body’s immune system and other vital defenses have the necessary components to keep us healthy. People with severe allergies report having much milder symptoms when they stay properly hydrated.

Salt Water/Saline Rinses

Salty water is one of the greatest natural compounds ever discovered for clearing out your nose, sinus passages, and other clogged breathing passages.

Tip: mix three spoonfuls of salt (with no iodine added) with one spoonful of baking soda. Place the contents in a sealed container. Add a teaspoon of clean, purified water (do not use tap water) to the mixture. Then fill a bulb syringe or other device with the solution and squirt it into your nostril. Hold for a moment, and then let drain completely before treating the other nostrils. If you own a Neti pot, you can use the same solution as described above.

If your throat hurts, you can also try gargling the same mixture as described above. Be sure to spit out the and completely remove the solution and not to swallow it, as it may cause stomach upset or irritation from the salt.

Local Honey

Local honey contains a blend of local pollen and eating it can strengthen your immune system and reduce pollen allergy symptoms. Honey is so versatile and can be incorporated into anything from breakfast foods to desserts. It’s an easy and affordable way to keep your sinuses under control year-round.

Stay Warm and Rested

Again, it’s one of those simple things that we all know, and yet we sometimes need to be reminded once again of how important it is to be rested. When our bodies are fighting off infections, colds and allergies, it requires a lot of energy and sustenance. The best thing you can do for yourself is to get enough rest, to stay warm, and to not overexert yourself when your body is trying to heal. Forcing yourself to go into work or school when you’re sick just ends up prolonging the recovery period, as well as increasing the risk of you infecting your friends, family members and coworkers.

An Extra Pillow

Sometimes, when we are feeling congested or stuffed up, a slight change in angle can make a world of difference. By raising your head up higher than normal with an extra pillow, your sinus passages can gently drain during the night, giving you some relief by the morning. If the angle is not comfortable enough for sleep, try putting some pillows underneath your mattress or bed frame to create a more gentle slope.

Butterbur

There’s been a lot of excitement lately over the discovery that a natural plant called butterbur can work to reduce or eliminate allergic reactions in people. Some patients have even reported completely eliminating the use of pharmaceutical compounds thanks to butterbur.

Butterbur is available from many health food stores, chemists, and other shops. It has an additional advantage of not causing sleepiness, a common side effects with many anti-allergenic prescription medications.

Quercetin

Although the name sounds mysterious, this is a common natural ingredient found in many vegetables and plants. While some people prefer to simply eat more fresh fruits and vegetables to get more quercetin in their diet, some chemists and health food shops do sell quercetin supplements. The active compound in quercetin works much as an antihistamine or anti-inflammatory drug.

Apple Cider Vinegar

We all grew up with a bottle of vinegar in the cupboard, and it has many, many uses beyond a simple flavor compound in food recipes.

Tip: mix one spoonful of organic apple cider vinegar with a full glass of water, and drink the entire contents. Try drinking up to three glasses of this formula to both prevent future allergic attacks as well as to reduce the onset of current symptoms.

Probiotics

When we get sick, many times the doctor or nurse will prescribe a course of antibiotics, which while it may work to cure the infection, also strips your body of its valuable good bacteria.

Drinking fermented drinks such as kefir, kombucha, and organic yogurt can help restore your body’s colonies of helpful bacteria and microorganisms. Capsules, pills and supplements are also sold separately for people not wishing to drink dairy products.

Go forth and stay healthy!

A few tweaks in your everyday routine and diet can help keep annoying allergy and cold symptoms away.

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