Although a cold is not a serious illness, if not taken care of properly, it can lead to various other diseases. That's why some people call a cold the "source of a hundred diseases." As the saying goes, "It's better to treat it early than to treat it late, and it's better to prevent it early than to treat it early."
Tips for preventing colds in the winter
Wash: Cold face, warm feet
Wash your face with cold water in the morning and soak your feet in hot water at night to help improve your body's ability to fight off illnesses. Also, develop the habit of washing your hands frequently to reduce the likelihood of coming into contact with cold viruses.
Rinse: Saltwater mouth rinse
Rinse your mouth with a mild saltwater solution every morning and evening to kill oral bacteria.
Move: Physical exercise
Engage in outdoor activities regularly, exercising at least three times a week for 30 to 45 minutes each time. This can greatly enhance your ability to resist colds. The specific activities can vary from person to person, such as walking, running, playing sports, doing exercises, practicing tai chi, learning swordsmanship, or dancing.
Ventilate: Ventilation
Open the windows of your living space for at least 30 minutes every day to allow for ventilation.
Sun: Regularly sun your bedding
Sun your bedding regularly as exposure to sunlight's ultraviolet rays can have a bactericidal effect.
Drink: Ginger tea
Prepare a cup of ginger tea by steeping 30 grams of brown sugar or white sugar and 3 grams of finely chopped fresh ginger in hot water. Drink it before bedtime to effectively prevent and treat colds.
Fumigate: Vinegar fumigation
Fumigate your living space with vinegar for 15 to 20 minutes every day to eliminate bacteria and viruses, ensuring a healthy environment. For a room of about 10 to 15 square meters, use 300 grams of vinegar and add a little water, then heat it until it evaporates.
Drip: Rice vinegar nasal drops
During the peak season of influenza, mix equal parts of rice vinegar and water and fill an empty bottle for nasal drops. Use it to drip into your nostrils several times to kill viruses in the nasal cavity.
Massage: Acupressure
Rub your palms together until they feel warm, then massage the Yingxiang acupoint (located on both sides of the nostrils) and the Yongquan acupoint (located on the sole of the foot). There is no limit to the number of times, just do it until it feels comfortable. You can do it in the morning and evening.
Dress: Dress appropriately
Don't wear too many clothes, as it can increase your body's resistance to cold and diseases.
Eat: Balanced diet
Pay attention to a balanced diet in your daily meals, especially eating plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits. Develop a habit of consuming raw garlic.
Take: Medication prevention
Research has shown that vitamin E can promote the body's immune function. Take 100 to 200 international units of vitamin E daily, which is beneficial for preventing colds.
Drink: Drink plenty of water
Drinking too little water can make your throat dry and prone to inflammation, making you susceptible to colds. Maintaining sufficient body fluids ensures the normal function of the immune system.
Disinfect: Disinfect utensils
Unclean utensils can also be a source of infection, so it is best to disinfect them two to three times a week.
Sleep: Get a good night's sleep
Getting a good night's sleep can keep your immune cells energetic and active.
Avoid: Maintain distance
During a cold outbreak, try to reduce social interactions and avoid crowded places. When encountering people who have a cold and are coughing or sneezing, it is best to stay at least 1 meter away from them.
Breathe: Breathing exercises
Concentrate, sit up straight with your feet shoulder-width apart, and take deep breaths ten times. Avoid holding your breath.
