The Flu: how to recover faster

The flu and how to recover faster.

It is that time of year when the flu seems to be everywhere. Being healthy doesn’t mean that you won’t get it. The flu can hit anyone, at anytime. Being healthy, however, helps you beat the flu faster thanks to the stronger immune system you have built from making healthy choices in life.

The flu brings a list of uncomfortable symptoms; headache, body pain, fever, cough and sinus congestion. While these are not pleasant to experience they are the body’s natural response to a viral infection. This is the immune system going into fight mode and with that comes fever and other symptoms. All of which are for one common cause – to kill the virus.

Once the flu hits you, it’s important to allow your body to heal. Naturally. Continue to support your immune system so it can do its work. Drugs that suppress the symptoms may actually do more harm than good by delaying recovery. Medicine will make you feel better temporarily but chances are that you will be sick for longer. Instead of a short two or three day thing, the flu will linger and symptoms may remain up to several weeks.

I am healthy but got sick, now what?

First thing is to surrender to being sick. Let yourself be sick, without resisting it. Accept and do the things that will help your body heal. And remember don’t fall for the temptation to try to feel better by suppressing the symptoms by taking medicine! “Pushing through” is not a good recipe to recover from the flu. Take the day off and get the rest you need.

This three-step-guide below will help you recover fast

I. Foods that will help you feel better faster:

1. Pineapple – pineapple is packed with potassium, vitamin C, vitamin B-1 and -6, manganese and copper and is considered one of the world’s healthiest foods.
2. Oranges–oranges bring high doses of vitamin C, the primary water-soluble antioxidant of the body, which supports immune function. Fruit in general also has high water content, which in addition to bringing nutrients, they help you hydrate.
3. Turmeric – this golden spice is considered a natural antibiotic in Ayurvedic medicine. Curcumin, its chemical compound, is a potent antioxidant with antiviral, anit-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-cancer properties.
4. Ginger – this powerful root reduces pain and loosens mucus from lungs and sinuses. It also stimulates perspiration, which regulates body temperature and helps flush out toxins. Further, ginger stimulates appetite and digestion, which helps in fighting the flu.
5. Coconut Water – this low calorie drink hydrates and restores electrolytes. Its natural sugars also give you energy. Just make sure it’s 100% pure coconut water with no added ingredients.

All these healing foods can be mixed into one healing “anti-flu” smoothie:

1 peeled orange

2 cups pineapple chunks

1 inch turmeric root (or 1 tsp powder)

1 inch ginger root (or 1 tsp powder)

2 cups coconut water

Mix all ingredients in a high-speed blender. (Adding a pinch of black pepper helps maximizing the benefits of the other health food making the nutrients more available and accessible to our system).

II. Gentle movement and breathing

In addition to hydrating and filling up on nutrients make sure to do gentle yoga and breathing exercises. Movement strengthens the immune system. When you are sick try doing yoga, stretching and breathing exercises will help with circulation and flushing the body from toxins.

III. Rest

Sleep, sleep and sleep some more. Rest is critical. It’s while we sleep we heal. Turn off the light, crawl under the sheets and enjoy your rest. When you wake you’ll feel a lot better!

by Marie Aspling

Health & Wellness Expert

Founder of Balans