The weather is getting cooler which means it’s time to bring out the sweaters and sweatshirts. Dressing appropriately for the weather is important for your body, especially your spine. Your muscles become more susceptible to injury in cooler weather. When it’s cold your muscles tighten to constrict your blood vessels which can lead to your muscles being stiff. It’s also important that you wear the proper shoes for cold weather. Wearing shoes that have traction and grip on them are most helpful for when there is snow and ice on the ground.
7 Tips to Avoid Getting Sick This Fall and Winter
Simple practices can boost your immunity and protect you from colds and flu.
With more colds and flu around, and more people spending time together indoors, it’s more likely that you’ll get sick, too. It’s not inevitable, though. Thankfully there are a number of things you can do to help ward off those annoying infections:
1) Get enough sleep
That means at least 7 hours a night. Whether you stay up all night one night, or just consistently don't get enough sleep (even just a few days in a row), sleep deprivation puts a serious damper on your immune system’s ability to fight off infection.
2) Eat well
Don't skip breakfast, and make sure to get three solid meals in every day. Each meal should contain a carbohydrate, a protein source, and a fruit or vegetable, and it's best to eat your biggest meals earlier in the day. Don’t go too long without eating (to the point where you feel weak or shaky), as your body will perceive it as a stress. Avoid sugary foods and drinks, as sugar has been shown to literally slow your immune cells down.
3) Exercise regularly
Exercise, even just going for a walk, pumps your circulation around your body and boosts your immune function. Just don’t go all out if your body hasn’t exercised in a while, as your body also can perceive that as a stress that weakens your immune system. Running hard over long distances is also stressful for your body. If you’re feeling tired and run down, don’t push yourself too hard.
4) Wash your hands
Do this before eating, especially. Be careful throughout the day to avoid touching your mouth, nose or eyes with your hands, as this is how bugs (viruses and bacteria) get into your body. This is one of the key ways that I protect myself at the virus-laden clinic. As a rule, I never eat anything without washing my hands first, and always wash my hands first thing when I get home after being out and about.
5) Reduce stress
When you’re tense and harried, your body pumps out stress hormones which weaken your immune system’s ability to respond to invaders. Slow down and take measures to back off if you feel your stress levels careening out of control. If your life is really busy, be sure to regularly allow for down time to rest. I’m a big fan of taking a Sabbath day once a week, to rest and recover from the previous week and get ready for the next.
Kind regards,
The SpineAlign Team
