Ten tips to prevent colds in winter

As winter approaches, the temperature drops and people are most likely to catch a cold, with symptoms such as fever and runny nose. Here are 10 tips to prevent winter colds to help you stay away from them.

In winter, when the weather is cold, many people choose to wash their faces with hot water in the morning. In fact, washing your face with slightly cool water in the morning can not only make people feel awake and refreshed, but also prevent colds caused by sudden cold air when going out. This is because washing your face with cold water can improve the body's ability to withstand cold, stimulate and improve facial blood circulation, and enhance the ability of the nasal mucosa to adapt to cold air.

In addition, you can soak your feet in hot water or hot ginger water for 15 to 20 minutes at night, which can promote blood circulation and improve the body's immunity. When soaking your feet, the water should be above the ankles. You can also add some salt and vinegar, and continue to add hot water until the soles of your feet turn slightly red. Avoid overheating. This method has obvious effects on mild colds, headaches, and coughs.

Gargle with light salt water once every morning and evening to remove oral bacteria. Gargling with concentrated salt water is also effective in the early stages of a cold. If your throat is itchy and painful, you can gargle with concentrated salt water, about once every 10 minutes. After repeating several times, the symptoms will be relieved.

The Dazhui point is located at the lower end of the neck, in the depression below the spinous process of the seventh cervical vertebra. Scraping or cupping at the Dazhui point can prevent colds and has a certain effect on regulating cervical spondylosis.

The thenar is located at the base of the thumb on the front of the palm, down to the heel, that is, the obvious protrusion when the palm is stretched out. Rub the thenar with both hands alternately up and down until both hands feel warm. It can promote blood circulation, dredge qi and blood, and is very beneficial for preventing and treating colds. It also has a relieving effect on symptoms such as sore throat, sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, and cough.

Opening windows for ventilation can effectively reduce indoor bacteria, viruses, fungi, etc. However, if you open windows for ventilation for too long in winter, it may lower the indoor temperature and cause cold, so you should judge whether to ventilate and how long to ventilate according to the specific conditions of indoor air and temperature.

Drinking ginger water regularly can warm the middle and dispel the cold. People with wind-heat colds can also drink some chrysanthemum tea to dispel wind and clear heat.

Eating less sodium-containing salt can increase the content of lysozyme in saliva, protect the epithelial cells of the oral and throat mucosa, and allow them to secrete more immunoglobulin A and interferon to fight against cold viruses. Therefore, controlling the daily salt intake within 5g is very beneficial for preventing and treating colds.

Studies have shown that humming like a bee can open the opening between the sinuses and nasal cavity, making breathing easier and helping to drain nasal mucus. Sit in a comfortable position, take a deep breath through your nose, and make a humming sound as you exhale, which will vibrate your nose, chest, and head. Humming can prolong exhalation, relieve anxiety, and relax your mood.

It is cold in winter, but don't wear too many clothes, just keep warm and dissipate heat normally. If you sweat, don't take off your clothes immediately to avoid catching a cold.

The Shangxing point is located on the head, 1 inch above the middle of the front hairline; the Yingxiang point is located on the face, next to the midpoint of the outer edge of the nose wing, in the nasolabial groove. Pressing and rubbing these two points with the index fingers of both hands can clear the nasal passages, dispel cold and eliminate nosebleeds. The Fengchi point is located at the lower edge of the occipital bone behind the neck, in a depression about two fingers wide from the back of the ear. Press the Fengchi point with the thumbs of both hands and rub it vigorously with the fingers for dozens of times, which can play a role in clearing away heat, dispersing wind and relieving symptoms. The Jianjing point is located in the middle of the neck to the shoulder end, where the muscles are rich. The thumb, index and middle fingers of both hands hold the Jianjing point on the opposite side respectively, and lift and hold it 10 times. It can play a role in dispersing wind, dispersing cold and relieving symptoms, and effectively relieve colds.

Note: Please follow your doctor’s advice on specific treatment and medication!

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This article is reproduced from: China Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine Author: Yang Xiaoming Pan Xiaoxing

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