FitSugar

Feeling Sick? Do These 3 Things Stat

Leta Shy — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 02:16:08 PST

It starts with a few sniffles, a scratchy throat, or a nagging cough. Many times you don't think twice about it, either because you're too busy or you just hope it goes away soon. As soon as those telltale signs of an oncoming cold appear, follow these tips to encourage a speedy recovery.

Take zinc: When the sniffles strike, take zinc; it's been proven to shorten the life span of colds, as well as make symptoms less severe. The studies found that zinc only works when taken as soon as your cold symptoms begin, so hit the cold aisle as soon as you notice any rundown feelings.
Make rest a priority: You don't have to quarantine yourself, but you do have to rest. If you feel a cold coming on, don't just ignore it; revamp your schedule so your day includes plenty of rest. Whether that means canceling evening plans or foregoing the DVR for an earlier bedtime, make rest a priority.
Drink water and tea: Staying hydrated should be your top priority, but that doesn't mean you should reach for sugary sodas or dehydrating cocktails. Keep your water bottle full and drink some warming tea (try our recipes for cold-fighting ginger tea and sage tea for a cough) to hydrate and feel better.

Besides these three things, don't forget to exercise regularly (but not if you're too sick!); it helps build your immunity so you can cut colds short or prevent them from happening in the first place.

8 Ways to Prevent Getting Sick at Work

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 16:47:24 PST

If you work in an office full of people, your chances of coming in contact with germs are that much higher. Arm yourself against colds, the flu, and stomach bugs with these essential tips.

Wash hands often and keep hand sanitizer on your desk.
Once a week disinfect the things you touch regularly including your keyboard, mouse, phone, pens, stapler, scissors, and even the outside of your reusable water bottle.
Avoid touching doorknobs, handles on bathroom stalls and faucets, the water cooler, coffee maker, and other commonly used work items. If you can't help it, be sure to wash your hands afterward.

Keep reading for five more ways to prevent getting sick at your job.

Flying With a Cold? Survival Tips While in the Air

Heather Dale — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 12:59:20 PST

I started the New Year with a cold that has knocked me right off my feet. I was fine staying home for the midnight countdown, but what I'm not looking forward to is having to board a plane with this bad bug - traveling when you're sick is the worst! If you need to fly and are suffering from a cold, here are some survival tips to help alleviate the annoying symptoms associated with being sick.

Sore throat: Before you get to the airport, gargle with warm salt water using 1/2 teaspoon of salt in one cup of warm water. Once you get to the airport, sip on hot tea or warm water sweetened with honey, which can help soothe an irritated throat. While on the plane, drink plenty of liquids and come prepared with hard candies or throat lozenges, which can be very soothing since they increase saliva production and help keep the throat moist.

Keep reading for more tips.

Skip the Benadryl! Natural Ways to Relieve Congestion

Michele Foley — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 03:07:46 PST

Whether it's allergies or a nasty cold, being congested sucks. It's hard to breathe, the sinus pressure is painful, and it can even affect your hearing. Blowing your nose offers some relief, but in cases where you're really stuffed up, it can be pretty futile. OTC medicines help dry out mucus but leave users feeling loopy, sleepy, and spaced out. What's left to do? The next time you're feeling all stuffed up, try one of these natural remedies - you'll be breathing free and clear!

Steam it out: Whether it's a steam room, hot shower, or a makeshift steam bath over a bowl of hot water, steam helps to loosen mucus and relieve congestion from your nose and chest. Intensify the benefits with the addition of eucalyptus oil, a natural decongestant. Whatever method you use, slowly breathe in the steam for about five minutes and then try blowing your nose and/or coughing. This is usually enough time to break up and loosen the mucus in the body. To aid with sleep, use a humidifier; it helps add moisture to the air, which will thin out mucus in your nasal passages.
Grab a neti pot: It might sound a little uncomfortable, but using a neti pot does wonders for relieving nasal congestion and pain - just ask any ear, nose, or throat doctor. Neti pots (in combination with a DIY saline solution) help end nasal congestion by thinning out mucus and built-up crusting in the nose; think of it as a form of nasal irrigation. Still not convinced? Check out these neti pot tips for beginners.

Keep reading for two more ideas after the break.

Work From Home or Take a Sick Day? Here's How to Decide

Anna Monette Roberts — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 07:34:26 PST

Modern technology makes it easier to transport our work to home, which can be a blessing when you wake up with a nasty cough but aren't sick enough to skip out on work. Here are a few tips to help you know when you should work from home or when you should take a sick day and rest.

Work from home if you have:

Nasal congestion, headaches, sneezing, coughing, or a runny nose: Nothing is worse than sharing a desk with someone who is persistently coughing, sniffing, sneezing, and blowing their nose. Not only is the sound annoying, but it's repulsive to think that each time you cough or sneeze, you are potentially spreading your germs all around the room. If your energy levels are OK, work from home until your nose blowing and coughing calms down. Since you are the most contagious the first two days, make a point to stay home during this period as a courtesy to your colleagues. Keep in mind that if your cold has zapped your energy levels down to zero, give yourself a day or two to rest.

Find out when you should take a sick day.

Flu Fighters: 5 Tips For Keeping the Flu at Bay This Year

Rebecca M Gruber — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 03:17:12 PST

There's no bigger germ catcher than children. On the playground, at a restaurant, or simply playing with friends, tots have a way of picking up germs wherever they go. We can keep them locked up inside in hopes of protecting them during cold and flu season, but that really isn't very practical. Rather, consider a few small changes to your daily routine to help protect them during the height of the germy season.

Dapple Travel Size Natural Surface Cleaner Wipes ($4): When sitting down in a restaurant, one of the first things many mamas grab is an empty high chair for their tot. Who knows what was on the previous child's hands before you sat down. Dapple's travel-size wipes use natural ingredients like baking soda to quickly clean off surfaces.
Felicity Floo Visits the Zoo ($13): Help teach older tots to take better care of themselves with a silly tale of a little girl who infects all of the animals in the zoo with a virus when she wipes her runny nose with her hand instead of a tissue.
Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Antibacterial Hand Soap Mousse ($6): Tommee Tippee has just introduced an entire line of eco and baby-friendly antibacterial soaps to moms, so they don't have to worry about their lil ones ingesting chemicals when the tots decide to feast on mama's finger right after she's washed it.
Scotch-Brite Botanical Disinfecting Wipes ($2): Made entirely of botanical plant extracts, Scotch-Brite's new line of cleansing wipes are safe for kids' toys, high chairs, and cribs, wiping out 99.9 percent of household germs.
My Tiny Hands 'Please Wash" Sign ($8): Created by a mom who was tired of strangers reaching into her tot's stroller to stroke her hands and face, these silicone rubber signs attach directly to strollers and car seats, offering a warning to passersby and keeping germs at bay.

Do You Sanitize Equipment at the Gym?

Anna Monette Roberts — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 01:08:28 PST

The gym is one of the germiest places that you come in contact with. Gym equipment, water fountains, and yoga mats are frequently used and in some cases may be rarely cleaned. The gym can be crawling with infectious bacteria and viruses, especially during the cold and flu season. You can rely on your immune system to fight off any illness, or it may be worth it to you to take extra precautions by grabbing alcohol wipes that line the wall, always carrying a hand towel to keep the sweat at bay, or using the hand sanitizer pumps at the exit. Tell us: do you sanitize at the gym, or do you rely on your immune system alone?

3 Throat-Soothing Herbal Teas

Anna Monette Roberts — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 15:51:09 PDT

If you find yourself suffering from a scratchy, sore throat, take comfort in the herbs astragalus, licorice root, and elm bark, which have a soothing effect on throat and respiratory issues. While the medical properties of these herbs have not undergone extensive scientific research, they have been brewed as healing teas for centuries and are mainstays in the alternative medicine community. Their natural sweetness, earthy scent, and slippery texture are pleasant, soothing, and worth trying out when colds strike.

Astragalus

What is it: Dr. Weil recommends taking astragalus, a sweet-tasting Chinese root which has immune boosting properties and helps soothe sore throats and bronchial infection.
Where to try it: Astragalus Immunity Tea ($6)
What scientists think: While the root has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine, no detailed, Western clinical trials have been done to prove or dispute its benefits for throat and respiratory issues. (Studies have shown astragalus to be helpful in reducing symptoms related to seasonal allergies.) Astragalus is also traditionally taken with ginseng, angelica, and licorice.

See more throat-soothing teas.

6 Things You Shouldn't Do in a Gym Locker Room

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 14:59:46 PDT

There are plenty of ways the gym can make you sick, and the locker room is no safe haven from germs. To prevent illness, make sure you avoid these unhealthy habits whenever you're in the gym's locker room.

The Best Exercises to Do When Sick

Michele Foley — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 03:06:10 PDT

Being sick sucks - especially when you're a fitness fanatic. Even if you've passed the "neck check" and seem OK to work out, you should still err on the side of caution since exercise can exacerbate anything worse than a minor cold. Our tips for exercising on a sick day? Take a few days off, lower the intensity of your normal workout by at least half, or go for one of these lower-impact workouts instead.