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9 healthy food choices that can help fight the flu

9 healthy food choices that can help fight the flu

Flu season is a time of worry for everyone. The symptoms are difficult to deal with and can leave you drained of energy. During this period, it is essential to keep the kitchen stocked with foods that can help fight off the flu and prevent severe symptoms. Thankfully, most flu-fighting foods are readily available and can be incorporated into daily meals. Therefore, relying on food to avoid the aggravation of flu symptoms is easy.

Turmeric
Turmeric is among the most efficient foods to relieve flu and its symptoms. Its primary component- curcumin – is known for its immunity-boosting and antibacterial properties. It also helps decongest the throat, lungs, and respiratory passageways.

Garlic
Adding garlic to the food helps fight off various infections. The compound allicin found in garlic can help maintain a strong immune system while fighting off viruses. All you have to do is add a little garlic to your meal plan.

Ginger
Ginger has numerous medicinal properties. It is known for its help in reducing nausea, inflammation, and vomiting. Flu patients can relieve their symptoms by adding ginger to their tea or ginger root to their food.

Honey
Honey is known for its antibacterial and antiviral properties and considerably assists in unblocking the upper respiratory tract. Raw honey is also beneficial for other flu symptoms, such as soar throat and itching. Adding raw honey to warm water or other fluids helps find relief from cough and throat inflammation.

Chamomile tea
Good sleep is essential to fight off any illness and recover better. Adding chamomile tea to the menu of flu patients helps keep up their hydration levels while assisting them in clocking in better sleep. Plus, sipping hot liquid helps thin the mucus and decongest the patient’s nasal passage.

Chicken soup
The magical ability of chicken soup to ward off flu symptoms is famous. Rich in cysteine, a natural amino acid, chicken soup is efficient in thinning down the mucus lining of our nasal and respiratory tracts when we are down with flu. It also effectively restores the electrolyte levels in the body, helps maintain fluid balance, and prevents dehydration.

Yogurt
Yogurt is one of the foods that assist the body in fighting off infectious microorganisms. Yogurt is rich in probiotics that help maintain the body’s supply of healthy bacteria and better manage flu symptoms. It is also rich in minerals and vitamins that help strengthen the immune system.

Oranges
Oranges are powerful natural sources of vitamin C. It is a proven ingredient for a strong immune system; therefore, fighting excess free radical damage suffered by the body during the flu is important. Since the body cannot produce its Vitamin C, adding fruits like oranges, grapefruits, clementines, and tangerines to the meal plan will help.

Miso soup
Miso soups are tasty and loaded with vegetables that enable you to fight off infection-causing microbes. It is a nourishing dish with great taste thanks to its high carrot, celery, and scallions. For some additional flu-fighting ability, add a pinch of turmeric to your bowl of miso soup.

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Coping with urges that can trigger a relapse post treatment

Addictions when left untreated can turn into crippling conditions. One can be addicted to smoking, binge drinking, or even shopping. Once addicted, one willfully submits to urges, despite having satisfied them before. However, addictions can be managed and to a great extent treated to full recovery. But, the post-recovery phase is crucial where both the mind and body are put to test and can trigger a relapse. Continue reading to know more about the most common triggers for addictions and how to deal with them.Stress Stress is commonly the root cause of many problems and addictions, both physical and psychological. One can become an addict as a way to manage the stress that may stem from strained relationships or priorities. The best way to avoid a relapse during recovery is to make lifestyle changes that don’t trigger a return to addictions amidst a stressful situation. One can practice mindfulness, engage in relaxation techniques, manage one’s time to avoid stressful situations, and imbibe healthy eating habits and exercise in their daily routine. EmotionsThere is an umpteen number of triggers that invoke a positive or negative emotional response. However, the stress associated with dealing with emotions daily can trigger urges without one even realizing. Often, one turns to a glass of alcohol or relies on prescription medications to put the mind at ease. It is not a permanent solution and prolonged use of these substances can cause more harm in the long run. One must learn and explore productive ways of controlling emotions better to avoid a relapse during recovery. For example, writing and maintaining a journal that contains one’s feelings and thoughts can act as a healthy outlet. Similarly, there are other healthy ways to channel one’s energy and manage emotional responses.Positive conditioningPeople who have addictions such as smoking or drinking may often find themselves in situations where a lit cigarette or a glass of wine can trigger a relapse. This is understandable considering these substances were the primary source of comfort and relaxation. However, with positive reinforcement and reconditioning one can train the mind and curb such urges. Relaxation doesn’t always mean techniques like yoga or meditation, it can also be pursuing your hobby. Counseling for group gatheringsBirthdays, parties, New Year’s events, and any celebration in general call for alcohol consumption and smoking. At times, these could be the very addictions one is recovering from, and in a social gathering, such temptations can be strong. However, a recovering addict should refrain from indulging in any of these as even a taste can turn into a relapse. For instance, a recovering alcoholic must avoid having a single drink as that could put him/her on a slippery slope to relapse. Here, one-on-one counseling can help prepare the mind to resist the urge. It is never healthy for a recovering addict to simply avoid socializing fearing a relapse.

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9 best creams to relieve eczema

Around one in ten people in our country develop eczema during their lifetime. Eczema is a chronic skin disorder characterized by dry, scaly, and red skin that, more often than not, itches badly. While it has no definitive cure, certain creams can provide relief. Since a diverse range of eczema-relief creams, lotions, and balms are available, patients must choose wisely. Here are the nine best creams to use for eczema after a doctor's approval. CeraVe Therapeutic Hand Cream This cream helps soothe eczema flare-ups on patients' hands. It has several ingredients with hydrating properties that form a protective layer over the skin and fight inflammation. The cream also provides much-needed moisturization and reinforces the skin barrier, making it one of the best creams to use for eczema. Reserveage Nutrition Hydrating Hand & Foot Cream This premium hand and foot cream with glycerin helps keep the skin moisturized. It uses copper-encapsulated peptide technology to repair the skin damage caused by eczema. Further, this cream has collagen-boosting capabilities to maintain skin flexibility. Vanicream Moisturizing Skin Cream The Vanicream cream is ideal for those with sensitive skin. What sets it apart is its incredibly soft and soothing effect on application and the fact that it does not contain fragrances, dyes, or chemicals that can trigger irritation and allergies. Exederm Flare Control Cream This flare-control cream is safe for adults and children over the age of two. It relieves all eczema symptoms, such as itchiness, swelling, and irritation, without leaving behind residue. As a result, it is one of the best creams to use for eczema. Skinfix Eczema+ Dermatitis Face Balm This is a high-quality, gluten-free, and fragrance-free product with ingredients like sweet almond oil and colloidal oatmeal. It nourishes the skin and provides solid relief against eczema symptoms like dry patches and itchiness. La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 Soothing Therapeutic Multi-Purpose Cream This multi-purpose cream can provide irritation-free soothing on the hands if one experiences eczema flare-ups. It is highly recommended for people with allergy-prone, sensitive skin. The Naked Bee Hand & Cuticle Healing Salve Unlike most other creams, this one does not leave the user's fingers with a greasy sensation after usage. Moreover, its exotic ingredients, such as sunflower oil, shea butter, and beeswax, provide exquisite comfort and eczema relief. Aveeno Eczema Therapy Itch Relief Balm This product is 100 percent fragrance-free and contains colloidal oatmeal for quickly soothing flare-ups or itchiness. It can be used for spot treatment or all-around body application. Eucerin Eczema Relief Cream For users who like a thicker cream, this product fits the bill. It forms a lather on the skin and provides fine moisturization and irritation relief. The cream has ingredients like colloidal oatmeal and is free of fragrances and dyes.

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