How To Live Virtually Cold Free

Despite all the wonders of modern technology, we are still yet to beat the common cold. We can fly to the moon, cure killer diseases that wiped out thousands only a few hundred years ago, decode DNA, but we still cannot cure the common cold.

When we catch a 'normal' virus or disease we are immune to after we have fought it off. Vaccines are usually made by injecting a person with a weak or dead version of the disease or virus. The body successfully fights it off, and is then immune as it now knows how to fight it off.

The problem with the cold virus is that there are many thousands of different strains, and more are evolving all the time. You may be immune to hundreds of them, but there are still many that you are not.

There is hope however. We can take steps so that we are almost cold free. We must try to stop them getting into our bodies. If they do manage to permeate our bodies, then we must also strengthen our immune systems in order to quickly fight them off.

Here are a few tips that can help us live almost cold free.

Most colds are actually spread by cross contamination, rather than by breathing in the virus. Most of us regularly touch our faces and noses throughout the day. When you have a cold and touch your nose, you get a deposit of the cold virus on your hands. This can be left on surfaces such as door handles, surfaces, telephones. Someone soon comes along, touches one of these objects, and then touches their own nose nicely depositing the virus into their system.

To avoid this you can wash your hands regularly throughout the day. However be careful not to develop an obsession around this! Also try to get out of the habit of touching your nose.

Stress can also suppress the immune system, rendering the body more vulnerable for viral infection. Hypnotherapy is a great way to reduce stress, and therefore effectively strengthen the immune system. Try regularly doing meditation, yoga or breathing exercises to keep stress at bay. Go for a relaxing walk when you are feeling tense.

Your diet can also help you ward off colds. Garlic and Echinacea help boost your immunity to colds. Black and green teas also contain many antiviral compounds including tannins. Eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables gives us the vitamins we need to keep or immune systems strong.

There are hundreds of different strains of the cold virus and it would be impossible to totally avoid them. However by following these pieces of advice you should significantly reduce your likelihood of suffering from them. You can then enjoy a virually cold-free life!

Jon Rhodes