MAS o Menos

Between 2005 and 2007, I noticed I was getting sick more frequently and the duration of my sickness was getting longer.  By early this year, I had decided I’d had enough and started researching.  I talked with business travelers on how they stay healthy given the stressful nature of travel and coming into contact with so many sick people at the airport.  I also read various books on health topics.

Then earlier this year I came up with a strategy on avoiding colds that I wanted to test out.  Well it has been almost a year and it has worked so far.  I’d like to share it with you.

1. Avoid Touching Your Face. I got this tip from a business traveler that covered Asia and Latin America.  We all do it.  We rub our eyes, wipe our nose or put our fingers up to our lips.  Stop it.  You are putting germs right into your body.   Anybody remember Dennis Miller’s TV show that ran on CNBC?  Dennis had  this quirk that when he laughed hard, he would rub his eye.  Dennis was constantly sick.
2. Wash Hands Like Surgeon When Returning From Public. I think people probably over use the anti-bacterial soaps, but when you return from places like schools, the gym or a shopping mall, wash your hands as soon as you get home.  Do this especially before you put food up to your mouth.  Also, occasionally use one of those disinfecting wipes on door knobs, phones, drawer handles and any place where fingers touch frequently.
3. Sleep 8 Hours a Night. I covered this in my review of Power Sleep.  The longest block of REM sleep is between hour 7 and hour 8.  REM sleep improves your immunity to viral infections.
4. Drink Tea. More research has been done on green tea, but my guess is black and oolong tea is equally healthy.  Tea is a nutritional powerhouse.  It is loaded with antioxidants and is calorie free.  Every year we learn more and more good things about tea.  And when I say tea, I mean tea.  Herbal tea is not tea, as it does not come from the Camellia sinensis plant.  If you have an issue with caffeine, look into rooibos, which a red tea-like drink which is loaded with anti-oxidants.
5. Move. Go for a walk, play with your kids or join me tomorrow morning at 7 AM to shoot hoops.  Moderate exercise boosts your immune system.  However, excessive exercise will suppress your immune system.  So all you treadmill zombies may actually be making yourself sick.
6. Eat Orange, Red and Yellow Bell Peppers. I buy these peppers, slice them up and eat them as snacks all the time.  They are loaded with vitamin C and other vitamins.
   
   Photo Orange peppers by FLICKR user pumpkinoodle
7. Eat Garlic and Onions. Garlic is also known as Russian Penicillin.  It is antimicrobial, antiviral and antiparasitic.  Onions are also part of the allium family.  Start each stir-fry with these two ingredients and be sure to stir-fry frequently.
8. Eat Turkey. Turkey was listed as one the 14 SuperFoods in the book SuperFoods RX.  From the SuperFoods web site:  …turkey also offers a rich array of nutrients, particularly niacin, selenium, vitamins B6 and B12, and zinc.

I’m not a scientist or medical professional, but I will say the above 8 steps have worked for me so far.  Do you have any tips you use to avoid sickness?

Tags: food, superfoods, tea