Stay healthy during cold and flu season

Cold and Flu season is here

Everyone is back to work, the kids are back to school

and everyone is sick!

So what can you do to try to stop you from getting sick?

Check back over the next few days for different tips

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Take a Cold Shower -

uncomfortable? yes. but research has show that there are multiple benefits during the cold season.

How? 

1. this can help your blood vessels adapt to being cold faster, peripheral blood vessels will constrict faster and you can conserve more heat.

2. German research has shown that cold water can help important virus-fighting cytokines (immune system proteins) work better together - that means fewer viral infections for you!

3. The cold water can increase lymphocytes (white blood cells) which help ward off colds and flu

4. The cold water will make you gasp! wondering why this helps? This helps open up closed and clogged air sacs in your lungs called alveoli. That means more oxygen for your body, and open, unclogged alveoli are less prone to infections such as bronchitis or pneumonia

5. The burst of cold water will then lead to increased blood flow to your organs - especially your skin, lungs, heart, and throat. Increase blood flow will help fight off illnesses

6. A cold shower can boost your mood and lower stress which will boost your immune system

start slow by exposing hands and feet to the cold water, and then work your way up

if you are susceptible to high blood pressure check with your doctor

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{image: weheartit.com}

Heart Health

Did you know heart attacks are more likely to occur in the morning?

Why?

Because in the mornings

-your blood pressure has started to rise, and is much higher than when sleeping

-your arteries are more rigid, making them more likely to rupture

-your blood is thicker

-so what can you do to prevent a heart attack in the morning?

Taking all heart-related meds in the evening before bed - around 10pm

-cholesterol meds- because your liver makes more cholesterol at night

- blood pressure meds can help keep your blood pressure lower in the morning

-taking a baby asprin as a heart attack prevention is more effective if taken at night

-even taking half of your multi vitamin at night is good for you because of the

antioxidant benefits.

So stay heart healthy, talk to your doctor about switching your meds to the evening

{source: Dr. Oz}

Earlobe Crease

On Dr.Oz today he had 7 signs your body is aging too fast.
One that i thought was important to share with everyone was the earlobe crease.

the linear crease on the earlobe starting near the head and angling out is a predictor of heart disease.

it is a good indication that the elastin in the body is starting to harden. you arteries need to be elasticy to expand and contract when the heart pumps blood.

keep an eye on your earlobes and those of the people you love. if you notice the crease talk to your doctor about the implications.