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Health Tips Series - Part 2

© T. Darlene Cheek

This month, we continue our health tips series. I thought it would be a good idea to cover some of the things that will help us get through the cooler weather.

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BODY

Cold & Flu Season

Take two aspirins, drink lots of water, and rest. Well, though there is still no cure, these aren't the only things you can do to help with a cold or the flu. Natural therapies can speed up our healing process and help alleviate some of those awful symptoms, as well as boost our immune system so we can fight off infection.

Aromatherapy offers benefits, especially in a steam inhalation. You can put menthol, eucalyptus or peppermint in a sink of hot water and place a towel tent over your head, or put them in your vaporizer. A nice soak in a hot bath is also effective. An excellent chest rub can be made by combining lavender and thyme, or you can use tea tree oil.

Herbal treatments include catmint for congestion, or chamomile for fever. Garlic and honey are still my favorite for coughs, though I've had great success with thyme and honey as well. Thyme can also be added to your bath water. Licorice has been known to stop a virus before it can invade our bodies. To clear the sinuses, take a teaspoon of grated fresh peeled horseradish mixed with lemon juice.

You can check out Sniff, Cough, Achoo! It's the Flu! for more information on natural therapy for colds and flu.

MIND

Seasonal Affective Disorder

Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, is also called Winter Depression or the Winter Blues. Most of us notice a change in mood with the seasons, even our pets are effected. Some people, however, suffer from more severe changes, including sleep problems, overeating (especially carbohydrate cravings), depression and withdrawal from family, irritability, loss of libido, fatigue, despair, anxiety, hopelessness, poor coping abilities, joint pain and stomach problems, lowered resistance to infection, and behavioral problems (especially in young people).

Since SAD is caused by the lack of bright light in the winter months, it can be treated with light therapy. If you can't afford to take a trip to a warmer, brighter climate for the winter, there's still something you can do. Outside In states,

"The light must be suitably bright. At least 2500lux (lux is the technical measure of brightness) is needed, which is 5 times brighter than a well lit office (a normal living room might be as low as 100lux); brighter lights up to 10,000lux work quicker. The lightbox must deliver the lux at a sensible distance, so you don't have to be sat too close to it. Contrary to the old belief the light does not need to be special daylight, colour matching or 'full spectrum' light; simply changing the lamps in a room to these special types will not produce sufficient light."

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