As we are approaching that time of year again where the temperature drops and there is a chill in the air, let’s take the time to consider some ways to stay healthy.
Have you ever noticed how some people never get sick? I believe the triangle of health can help to explain this phenomena. The triangle of health consists of our physical circumstances, our emotional state and our attitudes and beliefs. We draw on the three points of the triangle, and when all three are running in a positive state, we stay well. If the three sides slip into a negative state, we get sick. This helps to explain the holistic way natural therapists look at life.
Let me give you an example of what this means and how it works. Our attitudes and beliefs are usually held in our subconscious, and just say your mother use to tell you not to go outside in the cold weather without a singlet or jacket on, or you would catch a cold. The physical circumstance might be that it is cold and raining, and then your car breaks down and you are suddenly “pissed off” and in a negative emotional state. You are highly likely to catch a cold in this situation.
Now, let’s say that your mum still told you not to go outside in the cold weather without a singlet or jacket on, or you would catch a cold. The physical circumstance might be that it is cold and raining, but you have decided to play golf which is something you really enjoy doing and you remain in a positive emotional state. You would be very unlikely to catch a cold in this situation.
Keeping a positive mental attitude and only using positive self-talk is invaluable for helping to keep us balanced and healthy. My Buddhist teacher, when asked “what is the secret to happiness?” replied “to live your life with Love, Kindness and Compassion always. Be grateful and happy for everything you are given, good or bad there are lessons to be learnt”.
Lets consider the physical circumstances more closely. Many people confuse the terms ‘cold’ and ‘flu’ or think they are the same thing.
A ‘cold’ is less severe and the symptoms are generally localized to the head and chest. Usually a sore throat, blocked nose, mild muscle and chest discomfort, lasting 2 to 4 days.
This is different to in’flu’enza (the flu) which is characterized by the sudden onset of a high fever, chills, sweating, muscle aches, headache, feeling weak and tired, sometimes a sore throat and cough, and lasts 7 to 10 days.
How do you become infected?
Influenza is passed on via airborne droplets. An infected person only has to cough or sneeze without covering their mouth and other people can breathe in these airborne droplets and become infected. It can take 1 to 4 days to contract the illness after initial contact with an infected person.
Colds and influenza are most communicable (contagious) in the first few days, though many people ‘soldier on’ and still go to work, putting others at risk. Be considerate and try to avoid crowded places such as buses, bars and cinemas to avoid passing on the illness.
What can we do to prevent getting or reduce the severity of a cold or flu?
Avoid becoming run down – getting plenty of rest (it is when we are asleep that our body repairs and recharges itself) and remember to use Serenity or Bliss Energy oil to stay calm during times of stress. Sometimes we forget these basic techniques when we are busy.
Kissing your partner while sick with a cold or flu will increase the likelihood of them getting sick by more than 50 per cent.
You can decrease the amount of time you suffer from a cold or flu by taking vitamin C and Echinacea to boost your immune system and garlic is a powerful antioxidant. Old fashioned remedies like hot lemon juice and honey will help soothe a sore throat.
Use the Purify Energy oil in a vaporizer or put 2 drops on a tissue and inhale to clear your nose, making breathing easier. Purify Energy oil contains Eucalyptus, Peppermint, Lavender, Tea tree, Ginger, Lemon, Juniper and Cedarwood essential oils. These pure plant oils have antiseptic, antiviral, antibacterial and decongestant properties.
The best treatment is bed rest. Use a cold face flannel or a tepid bath to help bring down body temperature. Fasting is an automatic response for most people, and this also helps to lower a fever. Clinical evidence shows that fasting helps prevent the body temperature from rising too high. Increase water intake to prevent dehydration.
The increase in body temperature or fever is a natural response and part of the body’s defence against infection. The higher temperature speeds up the activity of white blood cells which fight infection.
Can Drugs Help?
Drugs such as Relenza and Tamiflu (antiviral agents) if available, should be taken within 48 hours of developing cold or flu symptoms and will dramatically reduce the severity and shorten the illness by about 2 days.
Paracetamol can help reduce fever.
Antibiotics are ‘useless’ against cold or flu viruses. Only use if prescribed by a doctor to fight bacterial infections like sinusitis or pneumonia.
