any ideas how i can prevent myself from getting so many COLDS????

[overthemill]

Since the beginning of december when i had teh flu (real taking to my bed flu was ill for 3 weeks) i have had 3 colds and am now on my 4th. I am so fed up with always having a cold, i know i'm not dying but i always feel ill, under the weather.

Ideas, please? What works for you all?

atchoo!

Homemade chicken soup with plenty of garlic...

Oh and a glass of orange juice every morning

Keep washing your hands. Especially after using the loo and before eating. Sounds obvious, but I have been washing my hands more often and more carefully and have had less colds this year.

Also make sure you're getting plnty of fruit and veg, take vitamin c if needed, and plenty of garlic

Vit C 1000mg? Boots does it, also with zinc. take it daily over winter months.

also good sauna and cold showers.

you know what might also do you good? 10-15 mins under a tannig bed. not every week but maybe once a month.

the warmth and light can do wonders. i lived in scandinavia for as while and it was my last refuge against the darkness and appalling weather.

i think this may lift your spirits a bit.

Build up your immune system with good foods, especially ones rich in iron, B vitamins and vitamin C (kiwifruit is excellent). Probiotic yoghurts are a good idea if you've had any antibiotic treatments. Avoid the usual nasties like smoking, being overweight, being inactive and drinking alcohol... they'll all sap your strength. Get a good 8 hours of sleep at night... lack of sleep will make you more susceptible to disease.

Take a turn in the fresh air every day - wrapping up warmly if it's cold. Many homes and workplaces are centrally heated, too-dry, stuffy and airless and your respiratory system needs to experience that hot/cold, wet/dry change to keep in good shape. Agree about having good personal hygiene

Yup, handwashing. My mother in law swears by Echinacea (although I think it is a load of bollocks).

But what really works for me is exercise, preferably in the fresh air (gyms/swimming pools riddled with bugs I guess!) - esp running. Stops colds in their tracks and seems to stop me picking up so many, too. Works for dh as well.

Agree with hand washing (and avoiding sticking your hands too near your nose and mouth in between!). Also, when you go out, wrap up warm, as cold nasal passages don't keep bacteria and viruses out as effectively! Keep well rested, drink plenty of fluids, get some fresh air every day, eat good, fresh food, etc, etc... I'm not sure about cold showers, though!!!!! I'd recommend warm, steamy ones, as they help ease blocked noses, sore throats and chesty coughs. Sometimes, after you've been very ill, the problem is that you got very active again (ie tried to get back to normal) a bit too quickly, before your immune system had completely finished fighting off the virus that laid you low for so long, making you vulnerable to everything else that comes your way - hence trying to get plenty of rest whenever you can and not treating yourself as though you really ought to be fully recovered by now. Real life doesn't work like that, of course, but at least the winter is nearly over and you'll have all Spring and Summer to recover your defences before the Autumn!!!

Handwashing.
Avoid touching the face.
GOod food.
Excercise.

Never found any of the potions/vitamins worked. Better to spend the cash on extra fruit.

COmmiserations - it is horrid.

agree with handwashing. I've been extra careful this year and although I've had a cold for a couple of weeks, it's the first one I've had since last winter (and I have a toddler at nursery)

don't bother with vit C supplements- your body can't store it - better than you get your vitamins from veg and fruit. Remember not to drink tea at the same time you eat, as it can inhibit absorption of vit C.

Don't keep germy tissues around, bin after one use and get another one.

Sleep.

Vitamin C and zinc both help your immune system - best to get them from a varied diet of course, but supplements will help if you know you just aren't eating that great.

Sauna goes with cold showers...always has.
That way it encourages blood circulation.

Some people roll themselves in the snow after a good sauna session

Brrr...

thanks for these suggestions - i've heard of vit c and zinc supplements so may try that. LOVE the idea of sunbed (warmth ) and saunas but not keen on cold snow rolling faterwards!

i am not getting lots of sleep at the mo as my chronically ill daughter hasnt been well and i've very interrupted sleep so taht may be some of it.

will see if the council leisure centre has sun bed or sauna.....maybe i should plead with dh for a short sunny break!