Cheap, easy, and often overlooked...
;-)
Posted on 03/14/2020 8:55:51 AM PDT by rebuildus
We’ve heard a lot about washing hands and other hygienic practices to help stem the Coronavirus outbreak. Believe me, this is welcome, as the amount of people you see failing to wash their hands after using a public restroom is downright disgusting.
But there are other weapons that I believe are at least as important in fighting infectious diseases.
In my experience, just about anytime I come down with a cold, flu, or other illness, I can trace it back to a lack of sleep.
When I do get adequate sleep, I either don’t get sick at all, or develop a mild case at worst.
Barriers to Sleep There’s no need for me to tell you how to sleep. But perhaps I can provide some encouragement to actually utilize the best, free illness antidote. For me, the number one impediment to adequate sleep is staying up too late looking at YouTube videos or some other form of entertainment.
I keep a closer eye on myself in this department than I used to. And it pays off. I try to put a stopping point to my nighttime activity BEFORE I get tired! This way I can spend some quality time practicing prayer and meditation before bed, which also happen to be great forms of rest (mind and spirit).
Nappy Nap? As I typically awaken fairly early and often don’t get quality sleep, my fallback is to incorporate naps (preferably mid-day, otherwise I will stay up too late).
I know others who do the same, and swear by them.
If you are not able to get adequate sleep at night, I’d recommend incorporating naps if this is possible with your work situation. Of course, if naps hurt your nighttime sleep, this recommendation would not necessarily apply.
Naps take a rap as being something children do, but hey, if we’re weighing the possibility of getting Coronavirus vs. likely vastly improving our chances of surviving it by taking a rest during the day, I’d opt for the rest!
Food Choices The choice of what food we eat has obvious benefits in strengthening our immune system, which is what this is all about. I have made some personal discoveries in this area. Obviously, ingesting a ton of sugar hurts the immune system.
But there are other less obvious food choices that can impact—for good or “ill”—our immune system. One of these, is the amount of certain nutrients and macronutrients we consume.
For instance, for me, at my age (almost 60), I find that my body can only handle so much animal fat.
This has a major effect on my sleep quality, as my liver, kidneys, and other digestive organs are forced to work harder while I sleep after an animal fat-heavy late meal.
I advise you to pay attention to this kind of thing, particularly as you age.
I hope this reminder to get adequate sleep and rest, and to watch your diet, is helpful. These choices makes a huge difference in every area of our lives, and of course, at bottom, can help keep us alive!
To your health and fitness…
Patrick Rooney is the Founder of OldSchoolUs.com. Its focus is natural health and independent living. Patrick is the author of GREEK PHYSIQUE: The Simple, Satisfying Way to Sculpt Your Body—Even if You’re Old, Weak, or Broken Down; and is also the creator of Greek Yoga™ and the Greek Yoga for Beginners video. He offers health and fitness consulting in-person in Middle Tennessee and worldwide via phone, Zoom, and Skype. To reach Patrick, email him at info@oldschoolus.com.
Cheap, easy, and often overlooked...
;-)
Franklin had it right: “early to bed, early to rise, make’s a man healthy, wealthy, and wise”. Still waiting on the wealthy and wise part.
Best of the day. There has to be some sort of EEntertainment Award for this. Some subset of the Hugos, pperhaps?
Pretty good for a fifty year old.
Just like the chicks down at G's trailerpark.
Really good, simple & sensible advice! Thanks!
Absolutely. Since my 20s I have known that the A#1 reason I have gotten sick is being tired out from lack of adequate rest during the cold weather season (which tends to run down your system by taking your body’s resources and devoting more of them to keeping you at 98.6 degrees). Also, getting massive sleep at night at the first sign of a “tickle” in the throat will often ward off the infection.
(File in the “No DUH” topic category)....
[Of course, every time I made this obvious point, along with the other obvious point that cold weather DOES “cause colds” because it RUNS DOWN YOUR SYSTEM making you susceptible to viruses, my violent, psychotic ex-wife - who always had to be ‘right’ and had to put you down in order to overcome her own sense of inner worthlessness - I guess(?) - would mockingly and robotically repeat: “Cold weather doesn’t cause colds - viruses cause colds”]
It might be a biological thing, built into the immune system for survival
Have basic cooking skills, stock up on non perishables that are canned, dried, nuts, dried fruits, flour, sugar salt, soda, baking powder, self rising best add cornmeal, pancake complete mix, WATER, dried milk, buttermilk, try to find powdered eggs Fresh have 3 weeks if you watch dates. Hard Boil keeps longer, high energy snack/meal. YOUR & PETS MEDS 60 DAYS. Don’t forget pet food. DYI hand sanitizer, cleaning, baby wipes, TP raw nether regions will appreciate, got old ones add water to rehydrate..same saline solution. https://www.tarladalal.com/Salt-and-Sugar-Drink-for-Diarrhoea-Oral-Rehydration-Solution-42382r
Need fast check, eliminate Flu first.
Now that is brilliant, paz_et_bonum! People, please check out the pic!
humblegunner, I have to admit, that made me smile!
You're welcome, LouieFisk!
You’ve been right (on both points) all along, Simon Foxx. Don’t listen to that woman! :)
https://www.diynatural.com/homemade-hand-sanitizer/ don’t forget that old remedy Witch Hazel. Vinegar, highest % rubbing alcohol or the drinking kind 75%. Tea tree oil only needs a few drops, coconut oil with a Few drops of Tea Tree oil fights yeast jock yeast better than commercial products, PAT DRY.
MANY college kids live on Ramen noodles.
Sleep and sunshine. Necessary for human health.
Sleep is certainly a major contributor to good health. Orange juice is also another overlooked weapon. Home-made vegetable soup is another good one. Hot tea with natural honey really helps as well. Drink plenty of water and avoid soft drinks.
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