Since it's cold and flu season, I thought I would share some tips I just learned for staying healthy:
~Get lots of sleep. The more you sleep, the more your body produces virus-attacking cells. You produce 50% more after 8 hours of sleep, than after 6 hours.
~Doing 30-75 minutes of moderate activity can boost your body's ability to fight nasty bugs. It is a myth that cold weather causes illness...you won't catch a cold just because it is cold outside.
~However, runs longer than 90 minutes can cause your body to produce immune-inhibiting stress hormones for up to 72 hours. That means, during this time you are more vulnerable to getting sick. Some ways to help this is to consume drinks that are rich in carbs before, during, and after long runs. You should also wash your hands during the 72 hour time period, and get lots of rest.
~If you do get sick, as it is sometimes inevitable, it won't hurt you to run with a head cold (but, stay hydrated). However, if the cold moves to your chest, or you have body aches and/or a fever, you should rest and not run until those symptoms fade. Then, take it easy until you fully recover.
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