7 secrets of people who don’t fall sick

It’s that season of the year when everyone around you is coughing, sneezing and falling sick, save for a few people. They travel in germ-packed public transport unharmed and don’t fall sick even after eating a stale meal after which the entire party is throwing up. Envy them? Here’s how you can be like them.

Take cold showers: Though the verdict is not yet out, many experts say that cold showers can prove helpful with low levels of energy, pain and migraines. You can start trying this in warm weather and make sure that you start with wetting your lower body first. Pour warm water before you head for cold water. If you are a heart patient, do consult a doctor before trying as a cold shower can suddenly spike your blood pressure.

Wash your hands more frequently and longer: If you are washing your hands less than seven times a day, you are not meeting the basic hygiene requirement. In America, hand washing is said to be the best way to prevent one billion colds each year. Now, you must remember that you should wash your hands for at least 20 seconds each time while make sure that you remove any trapped dirt in your fingernails. Pat it dry with a clean towel after every wash.

Consume ginger: Incorporate ginger in your diet as it is said to be a magic herb which helps in many gastrointestinal issues. It can increase the secretions that are good for digestion, can tone intestinal muscles and help food better move through digestive tract. Include it in your diet through tea, as a spice in your cooked food or have it raw.

Vitamin C and zinc: For both of these, there are many contradictory studies. But research has established that taking vitamin C through your diet or supplements can help you with cold symptoms if not limit its frequency. But make sure that you do not consume more than 2,000 mg of the vitamin in a day as that can harm your kidney or cause gastrointestinal issues. Similarly, for zinc, zinc lozenges can improve your immunity if you incorporate it in your diet.

Garlic or garlic extract: Garlic is a very good source of antioxidants. It helps in boosting immunity and is very effective in fighting inflammation. It has also been shown to possess properties that help in fighting everyday diseases to even cancer! However, if you are not very fond of the smell of garlic or the sour burps that come after you consume it, you have an alternative, aged garlic extract. It is even better than fresh garlic when it comes to the number of potent compounds in it.

Get a good masseuse: Seems like a matter that can be slighted, but it should not be. Massages are very helpful in soothing your muscles, releasing tension and stress, improving blood pressure and normalizing heart rate. Reduced stress levels mean better immunity. To make it worthwhile, you can get one every month or even more frequently. Here’s an in-depth guide on how your massage should be.

Stay optimistic: This isn’t merely hearsay. Studies have shown that people who stayed more positive produced antibodies that fight flu more than others who did not. Try to avoid telling yourself that you would get sick during this month or this season or how severe the symptoms may get. Just try to be less negative at least, if not optimistic. (All images from Shutterstock)