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Health & Fitness

Health for the Holidays

It’s that time of year where some of us begin to feel cold-like symptoms: coughs, runny noses, fevers, chills, and maybe even the flu. Although it seems inevitable to prevent these bothersome illnesses, there are ways to help fight off infection. The three most effective ways to combat the common cold are daily exercise, adequate sleep, and stress management.

 

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Exercise

Just thirty minutes of light to moderate aerobic exercise each day can help in several ways. The greatest effect exercise is speeding the transport of white blood cells (the ones that fight infection). Running, swimming, biking, and walking are all excellent forms of aerobic activity that will keep you healthy and feeling great.

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Adequate Sleep

Studies have shown that after participating in 16-week exercise programs, subjects showed better quality of sleep. Not only did they sleep about 45 minutes longer each night, but also woke up less often and experience less drowsiness in the morning. Exercise and sleep have a working relationship. The more we exercise, the better we sleep. Inversely, the less sleep we get, the worse our exercise is. You need to make sure you get adequate amounts of both exercise and sleep in order to fight off infection and sickness.

 

Stress Management

Stresses on the body can cause harm in both mental and physical ways. What better way to help manage stress than by working out? Regular exercise reduces the stress hormones that suppress our immune systems. A little physical activity can go a long way. Think of it as meditation in motion. With regular workouts, you will learn to remain calm and clear-headed during stressful situations.

 

The holidays are here and no one has time to stay home and recover.

Get active, sleep, and handle your stress! With these three suggestions, we’ll all be able to travel, visit with family, and enjoy our holidays to the fullest without any setbacks.

 

By Alex, aka the cutest elf on Main St. 

 

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