SWNYNATURAL - by Marie Haaland
New York office - 646-873-7565 / usnews@swns.com
NEWS COPY - WITH VIDEO & INFOGRAPHIC:
Twenty-nine percent of Americans would give up caffeine if it meant they never felt under the weather, according to a new survey.
A study of 2,000 American adults examined how frequently people get sick, as well as the steps they take to cope and prevent getting sick in the future.
The average respondent suffered four bouts of sickness over the last 12 months, and results showed that some will go far to avoid those sick days – another 29 percent would give up social media to avoid coughs, colds and sore throats throughout the year.
Seventeen percent of people would be willing to forego vacation time to avoid bouts of sickness.
The study, conducted by OnePoll on behalf of The Vitamin Shoppe brand, examined how people cope with feeling under the weather and the preventative measures they are currently taking and found just one in five reports being in perfect health every day for the last month.
When sickness does strike, we react in very different ways – results found a third of people deliberately exaggerate symptoms for sympathy.
And 45 percent report becoming extremely needy when they’re under the weather.
No matter how we act when under the weather, Americans are understandably keen to take as many precautions as possible to avoid sickness, and the research showed a huge preference for natural methods over other medication.
In fact, the results found that people are almost four times as likely to prefer vitamins and supplements over prescription medicine from a doctor (50 percent to 13 percent).
Eighty-two percent take preventative measures when they start to feel under the weather, including washing their hands more often, taking vitamins and/or supplements and making sure to sleep a healthy amount.
And 68 percent say they try to take a natural approach whenever possible to deal with feeling under the weather.
Sixty-six percent report taking vitamins and/or supplements to try and boost their immune system – this includes 48 percent who take vitamins and/or supplements every day, and 17 percent who take them when they feel a cold coming on.
Top vitamins and supplements people take for immune health include a multivitamin (60 percent), vitamin C (49 percent) and vitamin D (34 percent).
“Squeezing a hearty dose of vitamin C-rich fruits and vegetables into your daily diet through foods, like oranges, broccoli, kiwi, kale, strawberries and lemons can be key to keeping your body healthy through flu season and beyond,” said Dr. Josh Axe, DNM, DC, CNS, Certified Doctor of Natural Medicine and expert for The Vitamin Shoppe Wellness Council.
“Plus, eating foods high in zinc, such as kefir, grass-fed beef, chickpeas, and spinach will help to enhance your immune function, especially when you’re first feeling the signs of sickness.
“I also recommend utilizing essential oils to help soothe symptoms naturally. Eucalyptus oil, for example, works to open the sinuses and lungs. Simply combine two or three drops of eucalyptus oil with equal parts coconut oil and rub the mixture into your chest and back of the neck. Similarly, frankincense essential oil enhances immunity. You can diffuse about five drops of frankincense throughout cold and flu season, especially when you are feeling sick.”
When Americans do feel sick, they indulge in comfort.
Seventy percent report napping or sleeping in, while the majority of respondents also wear comfy clothes all day (53 percent) and turn to extra blankets (51 percent).
Still, eight in 10 respondents report being knowledgeable about how to stay healthy.
People do think they can learn how to better support their immune system (53 percent), what foods to eat to stay healthy (47 percent) and how much sleep they need (35 percent).
“As we enter cold and flu season, Elderberry syrup is one of the first things you should reach for,” said Dr. Josh Axe. “Elderberry is rich in flavonoids and anthocyanidins, and has been shown to help boost immune function.
“During this time, it’s more important than ever to load up on nutrient-dense fruits and veggies that supply your body with the fuel it needs to fully recover. Be sure to also include plenty of fermented foods in your diet for an extra dose of probiotics, such as kombucha, kimchi, tempeh, and miso. Making soups or stews with super-nutritious bone broth can also be beneficial and help your body to fully recover from an illness. Finally, minimize stress levels, drink plenty of water and get lots of sleep to help your body rest, recover and get back to feeling your best.”
There are also a variety of traditional home remedies people know and believe. Top tactics that people have heard of and believe are true include drinking beverages that include vitamin C to help a cold (75 percent), eating chicken noodle soup to feel better (64 percent) and that eating onion and garlic will help to prevent a cold (47 percent).
TOP COMFORTS PEOPLE TURN TO WHEN SICK
Napping/sleeping in 70 percent
Wearing pajamas or comfy clothes all day 53 percent
Extra blankets 51 percent
Binge-watching TV or movies 49 percent
Eating junk food/comfort food 24 percent
TOP PREVENTATIVE MEASURES PEOPLE USE TO AVOID FEELING SICK
Washing their hands more often 67 percent
Taking vitamins and/or supplements 66 percent
Sleeping a healthy amount 56 percent
Eating more fruits and vegetables 55 percent
Drinking tea with honey 53 percent
WHAT PEOPLE WOULD GIVE UP FOR PERFECT HEALTH
Social media 29 percent
Caffeine 29 percent
Sex 21 percent
Watching TV shows/movies 18 percent
Vacation time 17 percent
PEOPLE COULD IMPROVE THEIR HEALTH KNOWLEDGE REGARDING . . .
How to strengthen their immune system 53 percent
What foods to eat 47 percent
How much sleep they need 35 percent
Which vitamins supplements will be beneficial 46 percent
Which herbs/less traditional supplements will be right 32 percent
