How to Catch a Cold

Some people seem to expect a bout with a cold or the flu each year. If you haven’t had your quota yet, here are some things you can do:

Eat a poor diet. If you want to catch a cold, make sure your body lacks the vitamins and minerals it needs to keep itself in good repair. Eat lots of processed foods, stripped of their nutritional value.

Avoid adequate rest. Deprive yourself of adequate rest. Stay up late and reduce the time you sleep as much as possible. Use tobacco, coffee and other stimulants to fool yourself into thinking you have plenty of energy.

Stop exercising. Reduce the effectiveness of your immune and lymphatic systems. Unlike the circulatory system, your lymphatic system depends upon exercise and movement to circulate these germ-fighting fluids.

Rarely wash your hands. Increase your chances of catching a cold by compromising your personal hygiene. Remember to use your dirty hands and fingers to rub your eyes, pick your nose or wipe your lips.

Think negative thoughts. Look for opportunities to visualize having a cold. Pay attention to news reports about outbreaks of the flu and pay close attention to advertising that sells medications for cold sufferers.

Invite stress. Stress yourself physically by experiencing extreme temperature and humidity changes. Stress yourself mentally with constant worry or fear.

Become dehydrated. Avoid drinking enough water. Reduce the effectiveness of your natural defense mechanisms and other bodily functions by avoiding fluids.

Forget your appointments. Ignore your nervous system, the master control of your immune system. Avoid these preventive strategies and shun our suggestions of periodic chiropractic checkups to help you stay well.

Bottom line? The way to catch a cold or the flu is to make yourself a hospitable host to the millions of cold and flu germs around you every day. Avoid those activities and include regular chiropractic care to keep your nervous system working at it's very best.

Dr. Cheri  Asks some important questions of interest to Ottawa residents - Chiropractor Ottawa Dr. Cheri Asks...

How do you know when you're healthy?
Ask most Ottawa residents this simple question and you're likely to hear, "When you feel good" or "When you're at your proper weight for your height" or "When you have lots of energy and vitality." Great answers. But our chiropractic patients know that true health is when your body is working as it was designed. True health is how you function, not how you feel.
Why are chiropractors wary of the germ theory?
Louis Pasteur originated the idea that germs caused disease. Yet, on his deathbed he recanted, declaring, "It's not the seed, but the soil." Meaning, it's not the germ that causes disease, but the condition of the body that allows the germ to thrive. Chiropractic care in our Ottawa office is designed to bolster your resistance so germs don't see you as a good host.