WINTER SNIFFLES and WRAPPING PAPER

WHEN YOUR WINTER SNIFFLES HIT WHAT DO YOU DO?

Since Christmas is around the Corner and I’m sorda swommped with Christmas parties, work, and everything else this season brings, WHEN LIFE HANDED ME WITH WINTER SNIFFLES...I got to my Christmas gift wrapping.

 I didn’t want to venture out into the COLD world to buy new wrapping paper, because YES I wanted to lounge around braless in my jammies all weekend. (I'M SICK REMEMBER?) I decided to look around to find some things lying around my house that could suffice.

4 SIMPLE ITEMS IS ALL IT TOOK

1.    Brown Paper Sack

2.   Old Twine

3.   Christmas Tree Trimmings

4.   Sharpie Paint Pen

I hope you all ENJOY WRAPPING all your loved ones Christmas gifts this year. One of my favorite things about the season is GIVING. Well, and wrapping. I hope you can find a few simple items around your home this year to help save some money and open up your own creativity. (I KNOW WE ALL HAVE A LITTLE IN US).

WHEN YOU PUT YOUR MIND TO SOMETHING YOU ENJOY and DO IT, YOU FEEL BETTER. I MUST SAY IT HELPED MY WINTER SNIFFLES.

HAPPY HEART AND HAPPY HOME.

To help “MEND” away those winter sniffles and prevent them from coming period. Here a few simple ideas to remind you how to keep them out of your homes this winter. 

BEAT THE  WINTER SNIFFLES: 6 SIMPLE TRICKS TO AVOIDING THE WINTER COLD

The common cold is one of history’s great enigmas. (BIG WORD) I KNOW. Despite its regularity and predictability, nasopharyngitis (the common cold) never fails to effectively damper the winter season.

In the blue corner, the general optimism, excitement and energy of a new year. In the red corner, the defending champion, the common cold. No doubt, these two will be squaring off soon, so let’s learn how to hit the sniffles down this season. AS FOR ME… I WORK AS AN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM. ( I AM TRYING TO FIGHT OF GERMS DAILY) HOPE THESE SIMPLE TIPS YOU ALREADY KNOW REMIND YOU AS TO HOW TO PREVENT COLDS IN YOUR HOME THIS WINTER.

1. Wash Your Hands Once an Hour

It comes at no surprise that hand washing increases personal immunity, but just how often is necessary? According to Dr. Christopher Tolcher, you may be well served to wash your hands with soap and warm water “... 40 to 50 times a day.” If you’re spending less time in contact with other humans, once an hour should suffice — but make sure you’re washing thoroughly. Director of the Center for Occupational and Environmental Health, Nancy Hughes recommends to, “... try to wash for 20 seconds – sing ‘Happy Birthday (to myself) twice.”

2. Exercise

Exercise increases immune cell production (including the formidable “natural killer cells”) by between 50% to 300%, according to WebMD. The American Journal of Medicine reported that women who walked for 30 minutes a day had half as many colds as women who didn’t exercise. Additionally, they found that the number of disease-fighting T-cells in 65-year-olds who were regularly active to be as high as most 30-year-olds.

3. Sleep Seven

In “Trading ZZZ’s,” we discussed the disasters associated with cutting sleep. Those negative consequences are only exacerbated by illness. Without proper rest, cortisol levels that stimulate your immune system are depleted to nothing. A recent study from Carnegie Mellon showed that people who don’t get the recommended seven hours of sleep a night are three times as likely to catch a cold. To avoid getting bit by the germ bug in your sleep, regularly wash your pillow-slips.

4. Vitamin D > Vitamin C

Believe it or not, the old wives tale of pumping vitamin C to reduce illness is mostly scientifically unproven. Extra orange juice can’t hurt, but vitamin D is proven to boost and regulate the immune system. Since most folks rely on sunlight for adequate vitamin D, finding a good multivitamin (such as those found in ReFirm) is essential to maintaining wintertime levels. Experts also suggest taking a 1000-IU supplement on top of a multivitamin. If you’d rather go all natural, drink more milk or add fatty fish like salmon to your diet.

5. Flu Shot (I AM A FIRM BELIEVER)

The influenza vaccine has been used for years to help avoid seasonal viral infections. While the debate over the validity of the shot rages amongst the general population, studies continue to show a potent protective ability against what researchers determine to be the top three most common strains for each individual season. In 2011, vaccine effectiveness was about 60% for all age groups combined. Another study showed 90% success in children.

6. Relax

Relaxation is a simple, effective form of immune system stimulation, but it’s easier said than done. Finding ways to relax is unique to each individual, but a study from the Ohio State University College of Medicine showed the dangers of stress. Over a 10-year span, med students were evaluated for stress factors over a three-day exam period. Each year students’ stress levels greatly increased and each year infection-fighting T-cells and immunity-boosting gamma interferon levels were nearly nullified entirely. Meditation, yoga, even unique pastimes like marksmanship may decrease stress and increase immunity.

OH AND DRINK HOT COACOA, TAKE A BUBBLE BATH and DON't forget to make your HOMEMADE gift wrap. INDEED HELPS TAKE MY SNIFFLES AWAY!

Jamie B. xoxox