Your health is your wealth: 10 self-care practices to stay healthy this cold/flu season
Himalayan salt room therapy
Self-care isn’t always about bubble baths and massages. You need to take care of the health of your body as well. The following are self-care practices that I take to keep myself well!:
Wash your hands
It sounds so simple but it makes all the difference. Good hand hygiene is important during cold/flu season, and if you aren’t near a sink carry a pocket sized hand sanitizer. If you live in a metropolitan city like NYC, chances are you are riding the subways and buses. Mass transit hubs are breeding grounds for germs. Whenever you hold onto a pole or touch a railing, clean your hands with hand sanitizer. Be mindful not to touch your face and sanitize your cell phone with lysol wipes as well.
Perform salt water gargles daily
Everyday when I come home I gargle with warm salt water. I just sprinkle some sea salt in a glass of warm water and I gargle a few times. This helps to reduce phlegm and wash away germs in the back of your throat.
Drink Immune Boosting Elixirs
I received this from a vegan subscription box and it is my favorite!
Drinking a hot cup of water with lemon slices, ginger root, and honey was my go-to at the first signs of a cold. I would take honey, mince some ginger root, and chop slices of lemon and combine it in a glass container and store in the refrigerator/freezer. Once it forms a gel like consistency I would take a scoop and put it in a hot cup of water. Now that I’m vegan, I’ve made efforts to use honey alternatives. There is an apple based “honey” syrup that works just as well.
Elderberry supplementation
Elderberry supplements are an excellent way to help fight cold and flu symptoms. I take gelatin free elderberry gummies during cold and flu season everyday to prevent colds from starting.
Rest
It is so important to get proper rest. Your body’s immune system can weaken without adequate rest! I’ve noticed when I don’t slow down my routine and I work long hours, I’m more susceptible to getting sick. Spread your schedule out better, just like you would plan an appointment block some time out to rest. When you are preparing for bed cut screen time out 1-2 hours prior so that you can settle your mind to sleep. Aim to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep per night.
take it off
After a day of being exposed to dirty subways/buses and being surrounded by dozens of people, I make sure to take all my clothes off before I sit or lounge on any furniture in my house. I also wash my face and scrub my eyelids (this is especially important for contact lens wearers). We touch our face throughout the day and that is a sure fire way to get sick if you don’t wash your face when you get home.
Stay active
Exercise helps your body to build and maintain your immune system to fight off infection. Research shows that performing “moderate intensity” exercises a few times a week can help keep you healthy. This can include a brisk 20-30 minute walk or working out at the gym.
Eat garlic and onion
Garlic and onions have natural antibiotic, antiviral, and antioxidant properties. When I eat them I can feel my sinuses clearing up and it helps with mucus. In most of my meal prep, I try to incorporate fresh garlic cloves and raw onions in my dishes.
Book a session at a salt therapy room
Most sessions are 30 minutes and some spas offer salty yoga classes!
Salt caves are my go-to during the cold months. Himalayan salt is continuously pumped throughout the room and the air is amazing. Salt therapy rooms have healing properties for your skin and respiratory system. I usually book 30 minute sessions where I sit in a recliner and listen to a relaxing meditation session and I take in deep breaths. It literally feels like it is flossing your respiratory system. The salty air aids with nasal/sinus congestion and cough. My sessions also relax my body and help me to have more restful sleep.
Stay up to date
Make sure you are going for your annual health physicals and staying up to date on your immunizations. If there is any doubt in the severity of your symptoms, go see your health care provider. The flu strains are getting more nastier with each passing year and getting your annual flu shot can help to decrease complications if you did catch the flu.