Natural Cold and Flu Remedies- Natural VS Medicine?

Natural Cold and Flu Remedies

Influenza virus is the main inevitable illness we come across at least once or twice a year.

Using medicine may be the fastest way to get rid of the colds and flus, but you might want to consider developing your immune system by not going "excessively medical" and fighting of the flu on your own. This approach might take longer for the flu to disappear, but when your body gets used to fighting illnesses along with a natural healthy lifestyle you might stop expecting influenza to come knocking on your door very often.

Viruses, bacteria and germs love coming to weak, unhygienic bodies; when they see one they come thinking "oh here's a home for us to stay for a while" before jumping on to somewhere else. So the key is to stay healthy, hygienic, develop a healthy immune system, take good care of yourself (still don't be fanatic).

Here are some immunity boosting tips to stay cold-free:

1- Let the fever work its way

Photo By WayneMethod

Coughing and high body temperature are only ways your body is getting rid of the virus. So if the fever isn't extreme you might just want to let your body fight it off, however if your fever is over 104 contact your doctor right away.

2- Exercise

Being moderate is always key, according to a research by Appalachian state university in North Carolina "people who exercised at least five days a week had 43% fewer days with a cold during fall and winter than those who didn't work out", yet, "doing any vigorous exercise for more than 90 mins can put your body at risk for illness" David Neiman says.

So be moderate.

3- Get used to Cold Showers

You might want to consider trying out cold showers after exercising (while your body is still active and might endure it, in contrast to after being still and relaxed). Getting used to cold showers might not only help you against colds but will make you feel fresh after long workouts, not to mention contrast showers!

Check out this article on the benefits of Cold and Contrast showers and you might consider trying it!

4- Listen to your body/ Bed rest

When you feel ill rest, when you feel like exercising exercise. 

5- Eat healthy 

Try to avoid overeating junk foods and start consuming vegetables, fruits, soups, herbs, tea, garlic ; concentrate on Vitamin C, Zinc and Vitamin D which are extremely helpful and necessary to fortify your body against illness. 

6- Breath in Steam

A temporary way to clear up your nose is to run a hot shower, close the door, block the steam from escaping and breathe. This is known to ease up your breathing.

7- Salt water gargling

Gargling warm salt water might help ease up your sore throat.

Healthy Dieting Tips- Speed up your Metabolism and Lose Weight Fast?

Lose Weight and Stay Healthy

How to speed up your metabolism?

Photo By Pink Sherbet Photography

Have you ever wondered why some of your friends stay thin and fit even if they eat the same way you do or MORE?
Well, this strange fact drives us to ask ourselves why we "seem" different; but I tell you, no one's different, the only thing thats different is your metabolism or the rate at which you burn what you eat.
Metabolism is sometimes predetermined due to genetics, age and gender, but all these somehow have a very small effect.

Talking about metabolism can take us to different depths, in this article we'll keep it simple and discuss the basics of what you really need to know about your metabolism and how to speed it up.

Following some simple rules can help you become healthier and happier; all you have to do is understand and stay dedicated to a healthy way of life and quit the concept of staying strict for a while then loose again (after reaching your goal weight), you have to change yourself into a healthier person for the rest of your life.

Healthy Red Tomatoes by epSos.de

Speeding up your metabolism doesn't require you to stop eating or exercise too much, its actually a combination of being active and eating.
So basically being active + food = higher metabolism.

There are just some rules you have to know:

1) Try not to eat late:

Sleeping cat by Moyan_Brenn

There's no better feeling than waking up on an empty stomach. Eating late, not to mention eating too much and LATE is the #1 cause of low metabolism and unsuccessful dieting because after eating you go to sleep which is NOT being active so you don't really burn much of what you eat.
Still you could eat something really small like a banana, an orange or yogurt to help keep your metabolism active ;)

2) Eat small consistent meals:

Photo By MJorge

If you're really busy and don't have time for exercising then try not to eat 2-3 big meals a day, instead, eat 5-6 small meals which may include fruits, eggs, vegetables, rice, pasta, chicken or beef. The key here is to divide the meals all over the day and try not to fill up your stomach. This way your metabolism stays active and high.

3) Build Muscles

Baby thinks her muscles are her elbows
                         Photo By mollypop

A fact I just learned from Kathleen M. Zelman's article on webmd.com is that building muscles increases your resting metabolic rate, so try to build some muscles even if they're little. They'll help with your metabolism!

4) Drink Much Water

Photo By Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Water is life's greatest gift. Drink 2-3 cups of water on an empty stomach each morning when you wake up, then wait for 30 mins before you eat anything; this will clean up your body and help you become healthier if you keep doing it.
Drinking water will not only clean your body but will also speed up your metabolism and give you a feeling of fullness which will help against false eating alarms.
Try to drink eight cups of water a day.


5) Don't NOT Eat!

Photo By Karithina

Always eat little snacks to keep your metabolism active and never stop eating for a long period, this will only slow down your metabolism and keep you tired.

Take a look at the examples below:

• Keep exercising and stop eating or eat very little --> your metabolism stays LOW and your weight stays the SAME.

-Why?
        Because you have to give your body something to burn.
-Solution:
        Exercise a little then eat a banana ---> your metabolism is active so you burn the banana + burn fat.

• Keep eating and stop exercising --> your metabolism stays low and your weight INCREASES.

-Why?
        Your body is dull without exercise and so is your metabolism + the food you eat doesn't get burned.
-Solution:
         Eat a little then exercise a little then eat again.

6) Try to cut on sodas

      Photo By Lunatic Asylum Photostudio

Try to avoid drinking sodas.
Although sodas might be your first side drink choice, I advise you to give it up and drink some fresh juice or water. Sodas are not in any way beneficial, they make you fat and are generally unhealthy.


7) Stay Healthy and Happy

Photo By xtheowl

Stay dedicated to a lasting healthy way of life and not just a temporary one.



I hope this article helps :)

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