Big Ten Scores Against Cold Season

Article by healthybalance.com staff
Posted on September 09, 2007

Football season is back! So is cold season. Even though temperatures haven’t dropped, kids are back to school, back in sports—and back to cold and flu germs. How can you and your family post a winning score this cold season? Follow these Big Ten tips to keep colds from making points in your Big House.

Big Ten Cold Defense

1. Watch the Hand Off. Germs are passed as fast as a flying football by hand contact. Wash your hands often to intercept them before they score.

1. No Personal Fouls! Keep your fingers out of your eyes, nose and mouth.
   You can pass that cold germ you just picked up from that door knob—or even give your cold back to yourself! If you must rub an eye or itch a nose, wash your hands first.
2. Blow Your Nose—as good and hard as the ref blows his whistle. Blowing your nose cleans out debris, viruses and bacteria.

1. Keep your guards up. Don’t let people who are sick come too close—their germs might make a tackle. If you can’t avoid contact, again, wash your hands.

1. Stay Hydrated. Any athlete knows this is key to winning the game. Drink at least eight glasses of pure water a day so cold germs don’t catch you high and dry.

1. Stay Warm and Dry. Your mother was right. When you are cold and wet, your body has to work harder to maintain your body temperature—making it hard for your defense to keep germs from scoring.

1. Eat Your Veggies. And your fruits, high grade proteins and whole grains.
   The better you nourish your immune system—your body’s defense—the better you’ll resist getting sacked by sickness.
2. Fortify Your Position. A good multivitamin plus extra Vitamin C, Echinacea and Zinc when you feel under the weather will help your body fight back against the most offensive cold virus.

1. Don’t Sleep on the Playing Field. When you have a cold, too much sleep can be a bad thing. Remaining close to your normal routine without overexertion is a better way to shorten the lifespan of a cold. On the other hand, make sure you are getting a good night’s sleep!

1. Pass the drug test. Unless you are dangerously ill or have been prescribed medicines by your doctor, try to weather your cold without too many over-the-counter remedies. Gentle coughing, blowing your nose and slight fever can all help your body win the game against the common cold.