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A Week or Seven Days?

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Even though for many of us, the snow is gone, and winter has passed again, and now you’ve gratefully pulled your sandals from the closet shelf, it doesn’t mean that the potential to catch a cold hit the bricks with old man winter. No, unfortunately, a spring- or summer-time cold can hit you anyway, regardless of how warm it is outside. Sometimes it’s simply a matter of an immune system that has been pulled in every direction, trying to protect you from your co-worker’s cough, the kids’ sneezes, and all the stress you can swallow in a given week. And of course, lifestyle and behavior can certainly wreak havoc on your immune system.

This is what I call the “weekend” immune system — caused by excessive consumption of rich, processed foods, staying up too late, not moving enough, consuming alcohol, and generally ignoring the essentials. Certainly, occasions like holidays, birthdays, and vacations, are a time for celebration, but they can do damage to our systems. Balance these occasions of potential excess with deep body cleansing methods a week or two before and a week or two afterward. By keeping your system clean and “bookending” your celebratory sins with plenty of what’s good for you, you help to maintain balance in your system. The important thing is to not feel guilty about it!

A WEEK OR SEVEN DAYS? There’s an old saying that no matter what you do, a cold will last either a week or seven days. Isn’t that comforting? To help keep colds away when everybody else seems to be getting one, you must be attentive to your essential care, but tweak it a little. Here are some core essentials: Try to avoid sick people as much as possible; drink even more water; include proper nutrition, but add to the prevention end of it with extra vitamin C, Echinacea, and garlic; get plenty of sleep; include fresh air and appropriate exercise; keep germs at bay by washing your hands frequently; sanitize the phones, doorknobs, drinking glasses and drinking fountains at work; and strive to keep your inner calm in the midst of any upheaval.

If you’re unfortunate enough to get a cold, remember these core essentials, but know that if you are sick, you must reduce your activity level, and sleep, sleep, sleep! Consume lots of liquids and soup.

Speaking of soup, the expression “chicken soup” has become synonymous with medicine, for what’s good for you. The slogan, “soup is good food” is ingrained in our memories and in our tummies. There’s even a stream of self-help books just swimming in chicken soup. But does soup really help? Does it really have medicinal properties? You bet your wishbone it does! In fact, it’s not just chicken broth, but any broth can be used medicinally to replace lost fluids, sodium, and electrolytes due to illness or injury. The hot liquid and steam helps to open and soothe nasal passages, and it helps to relieve congestion by increasing the flow of mucus.

So, if you don’t feel well, by all means, try to pamper yourself! Don’t forget to wash your hands a lot so you don’t share your germy little gift. Take hot steam showers (or baths) with eucalyptus or peppermint liquid soap to help relieve congestion and body aches. And remember, it probably won’t last more than a week or seven days!

Stiff joints and sore muscles can be a deterrent. When physical activity results in pain, it’s hard to motivate yourself to continue. Minor muscle aches are to be expected with a new routine, but sharp or severe pain is unnecessary and unhealthy. Stretching can help by preparing your body for activity.

Make time to warm up and stretch before you go for a fitness walk or engage in any other workout. Slowing stretching your muscles will increase your flexibility and help to prevent muscle strain. After exercising, be sure to cool down and stretch again. You’ll add only minutes to your routine, but you’ll prevent hours of stiffness!

Here’s an easy recipe for simple Chicken Broth. It makes about one quart, and can be stored for up to three days in the refrigerator, or frozen for longer storage.

1. 3-4 pounds chicken (with or without bones, it’s up to you)
2. 1 large onion, quartered
3. 1 carrot, cut into chunks
4. 1 stalk celery, sliced
5. 2 sprigs parsley
6. 1 bay leaf
7. ¼ teaspoon thyme leaves
8. 2 quarts cold water

Bring everything to a boil. Reduce and simmer partially covered for 2-3 hours. Strain, skim off fat if desired, salt and pepper to taste.

For traditional chicken soup, just add some pre-cooked carrot, celery and onion; some cooked wide egg noodles, and toss in some cooked chicken, too.