7 Unconventional Tips to Prevent a Cold This Summer

Summer is finally with us, and if you’re like me, you’re overjoyed about it, however, if you’re like me you might be sitting in an office where at least one or two ‘lovely’ co-workers are sick and seem to have no problem spreading around their disgusting germs. Sneezing, coughing and gepewing (what I call it when someone tries to stifle a sneeze, but spit and mucus come out anyway) you don’t want to get sick, and catch a cold, stomach virus or possibly flu from anyone whether it’s a co-worker, friend or loved one!

Over the years I’ve managed to stave off colds from others, I’ve had a stomach virus only 3 times in my life and have never had a flu. From childhood through my teenage years I attribute this to my parents and their particular care to our health. Once I grew up I took a page from the way they do things, added some of my own, and have come up with 7 personally tried and true steps for avoiding a summer cold or a cold during any season of the year. As always check with your health care professional before taking any medications or supplements or trying any procedure to cure a disease.

Unconventional Tip #1: Avoid sick people. This is the easiest yet often hardest of them all. Especially if you have to work or live with the person that is sick. If you can, move to a different space temporarily. If that’s not possible, limit your interaction with them, and institute a “no hand shaking policy”, it might seem rude, but a polite “I’d love to shake your hand, but I’m very susceptible to being sick” should suffice, and don’t let them trick you by saying “I don’t have a cold, I have allergies”. Who cares, avoiding viruses, germs, and bacteria from another person’s hand is always a good thing. You have plenty of your own.

Limit unnecessary interaction. If you don’t have to be in that meeting, don’t go. If you can work from home that day, do so.

If you’re home, avoid the sick person’s bedroom, and limit bathroom visits to need be uses. People seem to let it all loose when they’re in a bathroom, forgetting that covering your mouth still applies even in commode housing areas.

Unconventional Tip #2: Contain sick people. If you can’t avoid them. Contain them. I use what I call the barrier approach. This can take on various contexts. Put up a box between your cube and the next, you can say you’re cleaning up your desk. Turn your chair around so that your back is facing the person who insists on sharing their germs.

The barrier effect works at home by simply shutting an unwell person in a separate room. If however they insist on moving about, try to keep them out of your designated “well” space. It could be something as small as the comfy chair and ottoman in the corner of the living room, but let them know it’s off limits to them while they’re sick, and that you’ll determine when they’re well enough to use it.

Unconventional Tip #3: Cut an Onion in half and leave it out. Preferably in the spot where your co-workers spittle constantly lands. This tip comes from a friend of mine that used to work in a family restaurant. He told me that uncooked onions when left out absorb bacteria. In fact onions are the foremost reason that Potato salad is left out goes bad, most people think it’s the mayonnaise, when in reality, it’s usually the onions. Yes, I know that colds and flu symptoms are caused by viruses, and that many people dismiss this anecdote and being nothing but a tale, because there’s currently no scientific evidence for it, but it’s worked for me, and it can’t hurt to try.

This step is better done at home, than in the office. However if you consider that leaving the onion out on your desk will probably keep most people away from you, including the sick co-worker, it might not be such a bad idea to try after all.
Unconventional Tip #3b:Eat a slightly cooked Onion.

Unconventional Tip #4: Eat garlic. Yes from onions to garlic. Garlic is a known natural antibiotic, it’s also antiviral and can help improve your immune system. Anything and everything that you could want in a perfect cold prevention medicine.

Unconventional Tip #5: Breath in Tea Tree Oil. Tea tree oil, is an Antiseptic, Antibacterial, Antifungal, and Antiviral oil. I personally use it for just about everything, including killing and removing a tick off of my dog, but that’s another article all together. I know you’re wondering what I mean by breathe in. Just that. I put a few drops of Tea Tree Oil on a handkerchief or tissue and breath in for a few seconds. Indigenous tribes in Australia (where Tea Tree Oil is from) have been doing this for millenia to avoid and recover from the flu and cold viruses. In addition, the camphor type smell is welcoming in a room where there’s are unwanted viruses and germs in abundance. I’ve also gargled with Tea Tree Oil, if you choose to do this as well, mix no more than 4 drops to a 1/4 cup of water, and do NOT swallow it.

Unconventional Tip #6: Clean. But not with just anything. Mix up Tea Tree Oil and Water, or use Vodka. Avoid using chemical laden store bought cleaners as they can trigger allergies in many people, and you’ll just induce the sick person into another fit of coughing and sneezing which is exactly what you’re trying to avoid.

Unconventional Tip #7: Drink. Liquor that is. Choose something with a fairly high alcohol content and very little sugar. Sugar breeds bacteria and is counter productive to boosting your immune system. I usually go with 2 shots of Scotch or an intense rum like Depaz Blue Cane. You don’t actually have to drink it, gargling can also be quite effective, especially if you feel a sore throat coming on. Needless to say if you live in America and you’re under 21, or if you’re a recovering alcoholic this tip isn’t for you.

Good health to you!

The Best Red Dress

References and Additional Information:
No Dig Vegetable Garden
Soul Guidance
Wikipedia Tea Tree Oil Entry
Medline Plus

Questions or comments write info@TheBestRedDress.com

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