We all know that moment: You wake up and there is something scratchy and swollen in the back of your throat. It hurts to swallow. You don't have the same energy. "DAMNIT! IT'S COMING!" According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), American adults average 2-3 colds per year. I don't know about you, but a cold lingers with me for over a week. It drives me nuts! Lower productivity, changes to my sleep and workout schedule, and a bundle of nasty used tissues lying next to my bed.
SO WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT IT?
Once the cold shows its symptoms, its too late to prevent it. But don't worry, there are plenty of All-Natural ways to fight it.
GET USED TO HAVING GARLIC BREATH
Garlic contains compounds that help the immune system fight germs. WHOLE garlic contains a compound called alliin. When garlic is crushed or chewed, this compound turns into allicin. Allicin contains sulfur, which gives garlic its distinctive smell and taste. Allicin is unstable, so it quickly converts to other sulphur-containing compounds thought to give garlic its medicinal properties.
These compounds have been shown to boost the disease-fighting response of some types of white blood cells in the body when they encounter viruses, such as the viruses that cause the common cold or flu.
The best way I have found to take garlic is to chew the cloves whole. I'm not gonna lie its pretty rough at first, but you'll get used to it. I chew the garlic for 10 seconds and then chase it with a juice, kombucha, or something flavored. This is the best way to get all the benefits of the garlic and start battling that cold!
KOMBUCH-YA
Research has shown the naturally occurring probiotics in kombucha help improve the body's immune response. I recommend GT's Gingerade Kombucha. It is all natural, organic, and tastes delicious. Also, its a great way to get that garlic taste out of your mouth after chewing on the cloves! Drink 2 per day that you are battling with the cold.
SLEEP AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE
If sleep was manufactured in a pill form, it would be the most powerful and expensive human improvement drug. And it is totally FREE! Sleeping more during your cold will shorten your recovery time. Having trouble sleeping? Try taking 1 or 2 2.5 mg tablet of all natural melatonin before bed.
SHOULD I WORKOUT WHEN I AM SICK?
It really depends on the type of workout your are performing. Avoid prolonged high intensity workouts that will tax your body and deplete your immune system in the short term. A better way to approach it is to perform low intensity exercises such as walking, light swimming, and low weight resistance exercises that will give you the benefits of exercise and maintain your "gainz". Try a 30 minute walk in the sunshine.
STAY HYDRATED
When you are sick, your cells are working double time. They need adequate hydration and electrolytes to maintain and work through the cold. Try drinking water with Himalayan Sea Salt to maintain electrolyte levels and flush the system. Drink AT LEAST half your body weight (lbs) in ounces or water. For example, if you weigh 180 lbs, drink 90 oz of pure water at minimum. The more water, the better.
Garlic, Probiotics, Electrolytes, Sleep, Light Exercise, and Water. Try this formula to lessen the symptoms and shorten the length of your next cold and you'll be back to kicking butt and taking names in no time!
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