"Panic plays no part in the training of a nurse." -Elizabeth Kenny
Nurses are those intrepid creatures on the planet who wander in the most infectious and germy areas, yet I always wonder how they manage to stay active and healthy while spending their days and nights in a bug-house!
Here I am, I can't even spend a single winter without suffering from the common cold or a fever or even the flu.
One day, I hit upon a luck when I found a nurse who was ready to let slip some of the inside secrets of their healthy lives.
Here are a few tips and tricks you definitely need to know about...
Don't touch things in public with your bare hands
Believe me, I'm not crazy. It's really tough not to touch things in public, like subway hand-holds or poles, shopping carts, door handles, etc., so one thing you can do is use disinfectant wipes or hand sanitizer to lessen your chances of picking up some germs or bacteria that cause viral infections.
Meat tenderizer helps with painful stings
No, not that thing above, the stuff below. Of course, the thing above will probably help as you'll have a much harsher pain to worry about than a piddly little bee sting. Meat tenderizer, such as the kind below, can be sprinkled on the site of a bee or wasp sting (get the stinger out first!) and it will actually help ease the pain and the sting from it. I've actually tried this, and it does work.
Battle common colds with garlic
Let's face it -- everyone loves garlic. Everyone complains about having it on their breath afterward, but since we all love it what's the big deal? They say if there were no showers everyone would be used to the smell of b.o., but that can't be true since we all love garlic -- we'd be used to the smell by now!
Medical studies have proven that garlic is actually quite effective in treating the common cold. Feel a little sniffle coming on? Add some extra garlic into you cooking for a few days and that cold will be gone just as fast as your garlic breath clears a room!
Wash your hands properly
You're doing it wrong! Thoroughly wash your hands properly -- with soap and warm water and lathering them for at least 10 seconds -- several times a day to help ward off germs.
Zinc is good
According to a 2013 Cochrane review, taking a little bit of of zinc within 24 hours of the start of symptoms helps shorten your sniffle. Use zinc lozenges, nasal sprays and pills to combat the symptoms of cold before it's too late.
Honey is good for cuts and bug bites
Clean the wound and dab this sticky substance on the affected area to cure these nasty cuts and bug bites. Use this natural home-remedy if you are ever out of drugstore options like Neosporin. Creams and pills always have expiration dates, but honey will NEVER go bad!
Take your vitamins!
Don't wait for the symptoms of vitamin deficiency to set in. Ensure that your regular check-up puts a check on your daily vitamin intake especially in the case of vitamin B, vitamin D and magnesium.
Hydration keeps headaches at bay
Dehydration is one of the most important causes of headaches. Go for any drink of your choice but never let your brain shrink. Excessive intake of water and caffeine are effective options to avoid dehydration.
Get enough sleep!
Get enough sleep - at least seven to eight hours per night. This is the most important health behavior change to improve the health of heart and rest of the body.
Go green
Include plenty of green vegetables in your regular diet. These leafy anti-oxidants are not only packed with vitamins A, B and K, but are also rich in vital minerals like calcium, iron, potassium, and magnesium.
Every time I visit my doctor, I see some smart, active and healthy with an invisible health shield around them.
Follow these tips and tricks to develop your very own germ shield!