Between big tests and projects, a million extracurrics and stress
galore, the occasional cold seems inevitable. But, it doesn’t have to
be! To help you beat this year’s cold season, here is what you should be
doing now.
Wash your hands
You’ve been hearing this for years, but keeping your hands clean is
super important to prevent a cold. Suds up after you use the bathroom
and before and after meals, and make sure you scrub for 20 seconds. And
don’t forget to also wash before changing contact lenses or cooking
food.
Get your vitamin C
Vitamin C is the best nutrient to help fight off colds. Get yours in
fruits and vegetables like peppers, oranges, and broccoli. Skip the
sugary VitaminWaters and aim to get yours through real foods!
Get some good bacteria
Not all bacteria is bad for you, and foods like yogurt are packed with
probiotics, which will build up your immune system now. Eat some for
breakfast or an after school snack– just make sure you don’t choose one
with lots of sugar.
Catch some zzz’s
It’s not possible to sleep your way out of a cold, but getting the right
amount of sleep at night is necessary to keep your body in tip-top
shape. If you find yourself yawning all day, make a point to get to bed
an hour earlier.
Stay hydrated
The benefits of water are endless; after all, we need it to live!
Increase your H2O intake around this time of year, though, so your body
can be even stronger to fight off colds. And if you’re craving a cup of
hot cocoa to warm you up, go for a mug of green tea instead. It will
give you the soothing boost you need.
There ya have it, girls! Start doing these things now so you wont have a
cold bring ya down later. And when everyone else does start to get the
sniffles, make sure you keep your distance!
BY RACHEL NUGENT ON 10/15/2011 7:00:00 AM
POSTED IN body, stress, sleep, cold busters, health, nutrition