Everyone has a rare or random talent.
Some talents are great to pull out at parties and others never fail to impress on a date.
But my random talent is my ability to fend off sickness no matter what time of the year it is. Seriously, I think I took all of one sick day last year.
Sure, you could say I’m lucky, but I’m not. I’m no luckier than the people scraping the barrel of their sick leave at the end of each year. But I am smarter. Smarter because I do certain things to keep my sickness-fighting talent alive.
Want to know the secret of people who never get sick? I’ll let you in on seven.
1. Get moving.
Exercise can flush bacteria and waste from the body through the lungs and via sweating. The key is to do it regularly at a moderate intensity (aim for a half-hour brisk walk, a few kilometres of gentle cycling or another other similar exercise three to four times a week) to reduce the likelihood of suffering colds and flu this winter. Don’t go overboard though. Heavy exercise carried out over the long term may actually have a negative effect on your immune system, and increase your risk of catching a cold or respiratory infection.
2. Get more sleep.
I admit I’m not always great at this one, but I’m forcing myself to get better, because sleep is really, really important. Don’t roll your eyes – I know you’ve heard this before, but getting some solid shut eye is essential for health and wellbeing.
Just as an FYI, you should know that this post is sponsored by Go Vita. But all opinions expressed by the author are 100% authentic and written in their own words.
A lack of sleep can have a negative effect on your immune system, which leaves you more susceptible to colds and flu, so aim to get eight hours of sleep a night.
3. Drink tea.
I won’t lie – I love my coffee. But I also love my tea time.
The great health benefit of tea is that it boosts your immunity. For example, chamomile is useful for treating hay fever and inflammation and it also has preventative properties to stop illness. Green tea is great for your health too as it contains high levels of antioxidants.
4. Take olive leaf every day.
This one is less known, but very necessary. It houses oleuropein, which is an antioxidant (that will help fight nasties) and is an anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antiviral (killing the bugs that make you sick) plant.
If you take it daily it can help reduce the risk of upper respiratory tract infections. And it also helps look after your heart with cardio-protective qualities.
5. Up your Vitamin C (and garlic breath).
The jury is still out on whether Vitamin C actually prevents colds – but scientists agree it can reduce the length and severity of your illness.
Related: 6 simple steps to keeping you and your family healthy on planes.
A British study has also found that volunteers taking a daily garlic supplement had 63 per cent fewer colds than those not taking the supplement.
6. Wash your hands.
It sounds obvious, but a lot of people don’t realise just how vital proper hand washing can be to staying healthy and fighting off sickness.
You need to wash your hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds and completely dry them. It will stop you (and others) getting sick.
7. Drink water. ALL the water.
Your body is made of up to 60 per cent water, which means it needs it and it wants it, so the more you hydrate your body the happier it will be.
Keep a drink bottle with you during the day and make sure you keep sipping. I drink alkalised water daily – I like to think of it as an everyday detox.
So, if you want to be one of those ‘annoying’ (or, as I prefer to say, talented) people that uses one measly sick day in a year, maybe it’s time to steal the seven secrets I just shared with you.
How do you prevent illness over winter?
Speaking of super powers and special talents, here are some of our favourite TV and movie superheroes:
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For details visit www.govita.com.au or speak to a health specialist at your local Go Vita.
Top Comments
Immune-boosting supplements to never get sick? Seriously? That's the sort of thing I expect to read on the old AVN blogs and FB page, not here.
What next? Paleo? All-organic? Quit sugar? Black salve? Vitamin-C? Or perhaps go all out and join the anti-vax brigade - you're half-way there already anyway.
I'm not a doctor. Nobody in my family gets sick. Myself, hubby or son. We don't even know what olive leaf extract looks like. I certainly don't get enough sleep. None of us has ever had a flu vaccination. We eat a moderate diet - high protein, lots of fruit. We also do a fruit/veggie mixed juice every weekend. About 4 oranges, 2 apples, 4-5 carrots, 3 celery stalks including leaves, a bit of greens, and we add ginger for hubby and myself. I tend to get sinusey, so as cold weather is approaching I clean out my nose with salt water(Neti pot). This has completely ended blocked noses for me. We wash our hands after the toilet or when they're obviously dirty. I'm afraid that's as hygienic as we get. And we all drink plenty of water.