One study found people who are happy, lively, or exhibit other positive emotions are less likely to get sick when they’re exposed to a cold virus. Researchers also found that when happy people contract a virus, they report fewer symptoms.
Stay Positive
So can you talk yourself into staying well? Maybe. This coming flu season, focus on wellness and tell yourself you refuse to get the flu rather than “I always get the flu this time of year.” One study shows a positive attitude produced greater amounts of flu antibodies. Yet another study showed being positive helps your body produce more antibodies in response to vaccinations. Researchers believe the brain and immune system have an open, active communications line.
Studies also show health benefits of other positive characteristics. For example, showing compassion improves the immune system, while people who are forgiving and don’t hang onto their anger have fewer heart problems.
Have a Happy Heart
Supporting this, a Columbia University study showed happy people had less risk of heart disease over 10 years — quite simply, people with high levels of satisfaction had fewer heart attacks. The risk goes down for many reasons. In general, happier people engage in more heart-healthy behavior such as getting adequate sleep, not smoking and eating a nutritious diet. Also, while people are happy, their stress hormones decrease, blood pressure lowers, and the heart slows down. So by spending more time happy and relaxed, you protect your heart.
8 Happiness Boosters
For better overall health, kick that cynical, negative attitude to the curb. Here are some steps to feel happier and be more positive.
1. Pet a pet. Whether it’s a dog or cat, petting a furry friend releases feel-good hormones and lowers stress hormones.
2. Make yourself smile. Even when you don’t feel like it, smile. One smile leads to more smiles. And just smiling activates the happiness centers in the brain.
3. Reach out. Hold hands or give a hug. Human touch releases positive hormones, reduces blood pressure and heart rate.
4. Get creative. Creating artwork or writing in a journal to express negative feelings actually makes you happier by distracting you from the negativity.
5. Hang out with positive people. Happiness spreads in social networks.
6. See the light. Skip the news or violent television shows and movies and opt for funny, enlightening and uplifting entertainment instead.
7. Get a fresh air fix. Take time to appreciate the wonder of nature. One study shows interaction with nature reduces depression, promotes healing, sparks creativity and even increases life expectancy. And a Swedish study found people who ran in parks felt 15 percent more restored than those who ran on treadmills or in the city.
8. Nourish from the inside out. Putting the right nutrition into your body helps your mind and body function at its best so happiness can shine through. Eat a healthy diet abundant with fruits, vegetables and whole grains and add Reliv shakes to your day for balanced nutrition rich in stress-reducing, health-promoting ingredients.
Right now, many people are wrapped in the throes of colds and flu. Sneezing, coughing, sore throat, runny nose, stuffed sinuses and fever knock people out of their routines and leave them tired and miserable. While visiting viruses cause colds and flu, some people seem to get sick more often and more severely than others. Why? People get sick more easily — and more severely — thanks to stress, lack of sleep and poor nutrition. What you put into your body is key to keeping you healthy. Good nutrition strengthens your immunity to fight viruses (and disease) and helps you get better faster.
Build a Strong Defense
Work in these foods to keep your body in ideal "fightin' form."
Pump up the protein. Protein helps your body maintain and build strength. Many protein-packed foods also contain vitamins B6 and B12, which are key to fueling a healthy immune system. High protein foods also are rich in immunity-building minerals such as selenium and zinc.
Get fruity. The bright colors in fruits called flavonoids add both beauty and powerful nutrition. In addition to fruits’ generous supply of vitamin C, the soft white skin in citrus fruits such as grapefruit, oranges, lemons and limes are loaded with flavonoids that kick the immune system into high gear. Pulpy orange juice is also a good way to boost immunity and speed recovery if you do get sick.
Bet on the green team. Cruciferous vegetables such as kale, collard greens, broccoli and cabbage contain a powerful, infection-fighting antioxidant called glutathione. Watercress and arugula also may have antiviral effects and can help relieve chest congestion and coughs.
There, There…
If you do get sick, add these soothing solutions to your diet to help you feel better faster.
Take comfort in chicken soup. Used for thousands of years for medicinal purposes, chicken soup really does make you feel better, especially if you sneak in more garlic. Yet even commercially prepared soup works. Research has shown chicken soup reduces cold symptoms with its anti-inflammatory effects. So put Grandma on speed dial…
Drink warm beverages. Black tea or tea with honey can help open congested airways and soothe a sore throat. Black tea also helps your nasal passages expel germs faster.
Spoon up the honey. In addition to soothing a sore throat, honey has been shown to be as effective as cough medicine for calming a cough. (Don’t give honey to children under age 1.)
Keep Your Body Well Fueled
After an illness, you need to rebuild your strength and nutrient storehouse more than ever. Otherwise, you leave yourself more vulnerable to the next round of viruses heading your way. To keep your body strong, healthy and more illness-resistant, fuel it with the balanced, optimum nutrition found in Reliv Classic® or Reliv Now®. Two shakes a day of Reliv nutritional supplements combined with eating a variety of fresh, whole foods will ensure your body receives the vitamins, minerals and micronutrients it craves to function its best all year round.
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Information in this article provided by Reliv International at Reliv.com
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