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10 All-Natural Ways To Avoid Catching A Cold
Welp. It's that time of year again. Time to figure out what your strategy is going to be in order to avoid catching a cold. If you've ever wondered why it seems like more folks end up coughing and sneezing during the fall and winter seasons than any other time of the year, blame it on our noses. Our noses actually help to trap a lot of the viruses that try and invade our systems. But when the temperature drops, the cold air cools down our nasal passages, slows down the production of mucus (which is there to fight and remove infection), making us more vulnerable to getting sick.
Personally, I am not big on the whole over-the-counter drugs approach to handling a cold. To me, it's all about being as proactive as possible by finding natural and holistic ways to prepare my body for the germs that want to try and slow me down.
If this is the time of year that you always dread because, it's almost guaranteed that a cold will be coming your way, here are 10 things that you can do to build up your system and knock out the cold-causing viruses before they become too much of a nuisance or health issue.
1. Pour a Little Bit of Peroxide Down Your Ears
Although I don't get sick often, about twice a year, I'll feel a sore throat coming on. For me, that's always a sign that I'm about to catch a cold that I totally don't want. You've probably heard before that one of the best ways to nip the beginning stages of a cold or flu bug is to pour some hydrogen peroxide down both of your ears. Sis, when I tell you it works…it works.
All you need to do is get some that is three percent grade (which is what's usually at your local grocery store or pharmacy), pour about a capful of the solution into the bottle's top, tilt your head and pour it in. You'll immediately hear some bubbling and popping which means that it's cutting through your ear wax and cleaning out the infection that is trying to get you sick. Keep your head tilted for about five minutes and then grab a tissue to collect whatever fluid is left. Do the same with your other ear and you should notice a significant change within 12 hours or so. I know I always do. (If you want to read more about this, you can by clicking here.)
2. Eat Phytochemicals
This is the time of year when sugar and alcohol are in abundance. Just keep in mind that moderation is key because, if you consume too much of either, that can trigger candida in your gut which could end up weakening your immune system. Instead, swap out the sugar cookies and spiked eggnog for some phytochemicals. What the heck are they? They are active compounds, found in plants, that are loaded with vitamins C and E to strengthen your immunity while giving you more energy in the process. Some foods that are loaded with phytochemicals include grapes, cabbage, garlic, cauliflower, tomatoes, broccoli and red wine.
3. Eat Some Antioxidants Too
If you've ever wondered what antioxidants actually do, in a nutshell, they are molecules that fight free radicals that seek to damage the cells within your body. So, you can probably see why it's such a good idea to eat as many as possible if you want to keep from catching a cold. Some foods that are packed with antioxidants include blueberries, beets, spinach, kale, carrots, citrus fruits and dark chocolate.
4. Consume Probiotics
Something that a lot of people don't realize is about 80 percent of our immune system is located inside of our gut. The healthier it is, the stronger our systems are and the easier it is to fight off germs, viruses and infections. One way to keep your gut health on-point is to consume probiotics.
You can do this by eating fermented foods like pickles, kefir, miso, kombucha and sauerkraut and/or taking a probiotic supplement. If you decide to go the supplement route, make sure that it is a multi-strain kind that contains no less than 25-billion units. That way, you'll know that it's truly effective.
5. Drink Bone Broth
Who didn't have chicken soup when they were sick as a child? If you ever wondered why that seemed to be such a miracle cure, it was mostly due to the broth that was in it. Now that you're grown, one of the best ways to keep a cold at bay is to make your own bone broth. It contains amino acids like arginine and glutamine to boost your immune system, L-glutamine to reduce inflammation (and promote weight loss), electrolytes to increase hydration, properties to reduce gut bacteria, and the amino acid cysteine. Why is that relevant? Believe it or not, on the chemical tip, it actually resembles the bronchitis drug acetylcysteine. Since close to nine million Americans get bronchitis each year and women contract it twice as much as men, that's just one more reason to whip some homemade bone broth up. (You can get a great bone broth recipe here.)
6. DIY Some Antibacterial Wipes
When you stop to think about where germs are in abundance, places like kitchens and bathrooms are a given. But germs are also plentiful on doorknobs, in your make-up, on your smartphone, at ATMS, on grocery carts, on your keys, and in your purse and wallet. That's why it's so important to keep your hands clean as much as possible.
One way to do that is to wash them. Another way is to use antibacterial wipes. Since more and more research is revealing that regular soap is about as effective as the antibacterial kind, if you want to use an antibacterial wipe that has as little unnecessary chemicals as possible, why not try your hand at DIY'ing it? All you basically need is some vinegar, detergent and lavender essential oil and you're basically good to go. (You can get step-by-step instructions by going here.)
7. Apply Some Citrus Essential Oils
Personally, I'm a huge fan of essential oils, so I had to make sure that I gave some of them a shout-out. If you don't already have some citrus essential oils in your collection, now would be the time to get 'em. Ones like orange, lemon, lime, grapefruit and bergamot are ideal for cold and flu season for a myriad of reasons. They contain antioxidant properties that fight off free radicals. They are able to clear out germs while boosting your immune system. And, if you need to suppress a cough, lime essential oil is especially able to do just that.
As far as the best ways to apply citrus essential oils, you can do one of the following—pour some of the oil into a diffuser in order to purify the air, put some oil into a spray bottle for quite the immunity (and energy) pick me up, or you can combine citrus oils with a carrier oil (like grapeseed, avocado or sweet almond oil), warm the combo up and give yourself a soothing chest and back massage. Don't be afraid to mix some of the oils up too. The more the merrier when you're trying to prevent a cold from coming on.
8. Also Drink Some Horehound Tea
Although it's not a type of tea that you hear about on a daily basis, this is the time of year when you should definitely store up on some horehound tea (or horehound tea leaves). Not only is it a tea that contains iron, potassium, vitamins A, B-complex, C and E, horehound tea also has the powerful medicinal properties that are found in the bitter marrubiin plant. All of these things work together in order to keep your digestive tract healthy, lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels and even ease menstrual cramps. Plus, if you feel the onset of a cold coming on, the properties in horehound tea will thin out the mucus in your lungs, soothe your sore throat, ease congestion in your nose, act as an expectorant, and also reduce inflammation throughout your body. Get the tea here. Get some of the loose leaves here.
9. Use a Dehumidifier
One of the reasons why a lot of us are more susceptible to colds is because we're indoors a lot more and there can be as much as 10 times more air pollution inside than outside. One way to keep indoor air pollution to a minimum is to invest in a dehumidifier.
The reason why this is such a good idea is because dehumidifiers are designed to pull moisture out of the air. As a result, less germs and allergens that could get you sick are floating around. Some other bonuses are they help to keep mold out of your clothes, odors out of the air and dust from irritating your respiratory system and collecting on your furniture.
10. Exercise
Depending on how you look at it, I saved the best for last. I say that because something else that can reduce your chances of getting a cold is exercise. Even though the cold weather may tempt you to not be as consistent when it comes to your exercise routine, if you don't want to catch a cold, this is actually when you should be working out more than usual. When you exercise, you increase the circulation throughout your body. When that happens, antibodies are able to flow throughout your bloodstream quicker, making it possible for your immune system to work harder and more effectively.
So, even if it means spending more time at home on your treadmill or with your exercise ball, make sure to devote 30-45 minutes, three days a week to doing some cardio (and a little weight training). Your body will love you for it. Cold germs will hate you for it. And all will be right with the world.
Want more stories like this? Sign up for our newsletter here and check out the related reads below:
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- Ways to Avoid Catching a Cold This Season | The Healthy ›
- Flu Prevention: Surprising Ways to Prevent Flu and Colds - Health ›
- How Doctors Avoid Cold and Flu | The Healthy ›
- 6 natural cold-prevention strategies - CNN.com ›
- 10 Tips for Preventing the Cold & Flu Naturally - Amy Myers MD ›
- 10 Natural Ways To Avoid The Cold And Flu | HuffPost Life ›
- Preventing and treating colds: The evidence and the anecdotes ... ›
- 12 All-Natural Home Remedies for Fast Cold & Flu Relief ›
- The 7 Best Natural Cold and Flu Prevention Tips | HuffPost Life ›
- 6 Natural Cold-Prevention Strategies | Real Simple ›
Different puzzle pieces are creating bigger pictures these days. 2024 will mark a milestone on a few different levels, including the release of my third book next June (yay!).
I am also a Professional Certified Coach. My main mission for attaining that particular goal is to use my formal credentials to help people navigate through the sometimes tumultuous waters, both on and offline, when it comes to information about marriage, sex and relationships that is oftentimes misinformation (because "coach" is a word that gets thrown around a lot, oftentimes quite poorly).
I am also still super devoted to helping to bring life into this world as a doula, marriage life coaching will always be my first love (next to writing, of course), a platform that advocates for good Black men is currently in the works and my keystrokes continue to be devoted to HEALTHY over HAPPY in the areas of holistic intimacy, spiritual evolution, purpose manifestation and self-love...because maturity teaches that it's impossible to be happy all of the time when it comes to reaching goals yet healthy is a choice that can be made on a daily basis (amen?).
If you have any PERSONAL QUESTIONS (please do not contact me with any story pitches; that is an *editorial* need), feel free to reach out at missnosipho@gmail.com. A sistah will certainly do what she can. ;)
This article is sponsored by Hulu.
UnPrisonedhas returned for its highly anticipated second season, delving deeper into the complex dynamics of the Alexander family.
The series premiere comes a year after its debut season garnered rave reviews from fans and critics and earned record-breaking ratings for Hulu's Onyx Collective brand. UnPrisoned's success can be attributed to its raw, relatable themes and comedic appeal.
Inspired by creator Tracy McMillan's life, the show follows Paige (Kerry Washington), a therapist and single mother whose life takes an unexpected turn when her father, Edwin (Delroy Lindo) --who was released from prison-- moves in with her and her teenage son, Finn (Faly Rakotohavana).
Throughout UnPrisoned's first season, viewers witnessed how Edwin's incarceration deeply affected Paige's life and relationships. In the series, Paige unpacks her trauma through interactions with her inner child and her online followers. Meanwhile, Edwin is overcoming specific struggles with his own past that led to his life of crime, including a dysfunctional upbringing and his mother's arrest. As the Alexanders attempt to reconcile, new challenges arise.
This new season promises to further explore their unconventional family dynamic. Here are several compelling reasons why season two of UnPrisoned should be on everyone's watchlist.
The Alexander Family Life Is Still In Shambles
UnPrisoned's second season resumes where the series left off, with Paige grappling with the fallout from her troubled therapy practice and Edwin navigating life independently after moving out. Meanwhile, Finn faces his own challenges. The teenager is battling anxiety and seeking information about his father—a topic Paige avoids discussing.
The Alexander Family Are Attending Therapy To Resolve Their Underlying Issues
Amid the chaos in their lives, the Alexander family decides to mend their bond by confronting their past traumas. They seek professional help and attend therapy sessions with a “family radical healing coach,” played by John Stamos, a new cast member. This collective effort aims to unravel the complexities of their shared history and strengthen their relationships.
The process of unraveling each character's internal conflicts and their potential impact on future relationships may clash with Paige's textbook therapy approach. While Paige is used to being in the therapist's seat in both career and family, this forces her into the unfamiliar role of a patient during therapy sessions. This shift would compel her to look in the mirror and try a radically different approach.
The Alexander Family Learned A Big Lesson During A Therapy Session
In therapy, the Alexanders are tasked with addressing their individual traumas to salvage their remaining relationships. One of the family therapist’s eccentric suggestions was an exercise involving a family wrestling match. During this session, Paige faces tough questions about her refusal to share information about Finn's father.
While it's unclear whether this scene is reality or fantasy, the image of the family duking it out in the ring certainly makes for hilarious yet compelling television.
Paige Tries Dating Again Following Failed Relationships
Amid her life's chaos, Paige decides to step back into the dating field. However, her many attempts have left her with mixed results. The dating apps have turned out to be a fail, and an outing with her ex Mal (Marque Richardson), who is also her father's parole officer, doesn’t go quite as expected after he brings an unexpected guest – his new girlfriend.
The situation takes an awkward turn when Mal's new partner learns why the former couple split, partly due to Paige's self-sabotage.
UnPrisoned Is A Perfect Balance Of Comedy And Drama
As a dramedy, UnPrisoned takes a comedic approach to its heavy subjects. The show takes us on a ride with Paige's dating misadventures and navigating a friendship with her ex.
Other lighthearted moments include Edwin's attempts at CPR based on online videos and, of course, the antics of the Alexander family's unconventional new healing coach.
The second season of UnPrisoned is now available on Hulu.
UnPrisoned | Season 2 Trailer | Hulu
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Mariee Revere On Her History-Making Million-Dollar Sales And The Future Of MoonXCosmetics
If the name Mariee Revere sounds familiar, it's probably because you heard of her beauty and skincare brand, MoonXCosmetics, or you may have heard about her history-making achievement of making $1.8 million in less than eight minutes. But before starting her million-dollar brand, Mariee was just a teenager trying to cure her acne.
While she grew up in the skincare capital of the world, South Korea, Mariee didn't really experience breakouts until her senior year of high school. Like many people who get their first breakout, she didn't know what to do, and there weren't many products out there at that time. So she decided to experiment. What she didn't know was that what she came up with would ultimately be her ticket to success.
"When I graduated high school, I moved back to America, Georgia, and I ended up making, like, the oil, the Rose Galore oil, which is like the staple product of my brand. I don't know what made me make it, but I did, and it literally cleared my face up," she tells xoNecole in an exclusive interview.
"I end up selling it as a body oil first because, obviously, I'm 17, [and] don't have any background as an esthetician or anything like that. I just made a product that worked for me, but people bought it and was using it, and I reformulated it, and then it just stuck like with me."
While MoonXCosmetics is known for its facial products, it wants to expand to body care and home. It just released its new product, Moon-Gel body wash, and it's only up from there. As Mariee continues to grow the brand, it's more than likely that she will see more history-making moments. And so far she has.
Photo courtesy
When asked if she feels pressure to obtain more of those milestones, she says yes and no. "I did $1.8 [million] again, and then I did $2 million but I feel like now, currently, I don't look at that as one of my goals anymore because [of] the headache and just everything that came with it, but I was thankful and blessed to have that milestone, but now I'm looking for more," she says.
"I want to say more reach than more like fast-paced sales. I do want that. Obviously, every girl wants that, but I do want to have a better overall reach for my brand because I did take two years off so I was able to learn, [and] study a lot of different things. See how things have changed from 2020 to now."
"I did $1.8 [million] again, and then I did $2 million but I feel like now, currently, I don't look at that as one of my goals anymore because [of] the headache and just everything that came with it, but I was thankful and blessed to have that milestone, but now I'm looking for more."
Another part of expanding for any company is hiring people. Finding the right person to help you can be a hassle, especially for business owners who are used to doing all the work themselves. Mariee can relate to this, and she touched on this topic in her documentaryThe Million Dollar Story. She recommends having someone be your "right-hand man" who you trust to handle the ins and outs of the company.
"I could say, definitely get, like a right-hand man to help you within the process because that really was what helped me. I never had a job. I literally was 18 now, being like, you know, the boss of over 30+ employees at one point in time, and I didn't know anything. I didn't know anything about no W-2s, no taxes, no clock in, clock out because all I [have] ever known was my brand," she explains.
"So I definitely partner with people who are very skewed and versed in those areas, and they helped me get through it. Even to this day, I still have my same person helping me with hiring, firing, [and] doing everything that I can right now because I'm still learning. But obviously people get jobs young, so they have way more experience than me, but still learning."
And though she is still learning, one thing she makes sure to stay on top of is being consistent. Consistency is what trips many people up when it comes to achieving goals, but Mariee says it's all about scheduling. Whether it's when to post on social media or email marketing, scheduling it out can make a world of difference. That same practice also works when planning out her future goals for the company.
"Right now, future goals would be to drop at least five more products before the end of the year. We always do outreach, where we do drives and all that, but definitely do way more this year, she says. "Then really dive into body [care], and then hopefully open up MoonXBody underneath MoonXCosmetics to let that branch out and be open and definitely get back consistent."
For more information, visit moonxco.com.
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