25 Days of Blogging- Day 19: Guide to Not Getting Sick

Hi friends!

Today's post is all about combating a cold.  Do you want to know the best way to stop a cold?...

Prevent one!!

All joking aside, this truly is the best way to stop a cold.  During the winter months, colds are more prevalent mostly due to people being in closer proximity to one another for longer periods of time...unlike in the summer when we can get more fresh air and sunshine!!

One of the best way to prevent a cold, besides eating healthy fruits and vegetables (as I mention regularly on this blog...) is...Water!

A river from the forest preserve by my parent's house!  Taken by yours truly!

Proper hydration any time of year is a key to health.  In the winter, we tend to feel as though we do not need to drink as much because we are not sweating from the heat.  As a matter of fact, we may sweat more than we think!  Heating in our cars, homes, and offices dries out the skin, which in turn, leads to dehydration!  

By drinking more water (or at least getting half of your weight (in pounds) in ounces of water per day), your skin will stay hydrated and soft and your immune system will stay strong.  Being well hydrated keeps all systems moving, making you healthier.

Vitamins and Minerals.  We all know that eating more fruits and vegetables is good for us, but do you know why? One of the many reasons plant foods are good for you is because they are a dense source of vitamins and minerals.  These nutrients are essential to health and play a role in practically every aspect of living; including metabolism, brain function, skin elasticity, and more!  All vitamins and minerals will help keep you healthy, but one to keep in mind when it comes to the common cold is zinc.

Zinc plays a large role in immune function.  Between reducing stress on the immune system as well as being a component of antioxidants found in the body, zinc is crucial to health.  Good sources of zinc include whole grains, nuts, and seeds.  Examples include pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, brown rice, and more!

There are so many more aspects that go hand in hand with a healthy immune system; like proper sleep and exercise, but let's save that for a later post, shall we?  I don't want to make these posts too lengthy, unless of course that is what you'd like to see!  Let me know in the comments!