Winter is here, and almost everyone can catch a cold or the flu. Some call it cold season, flu season, or even combine them as flu and cold season. It doesn’t really matter what we call it. What’s important is staying healthy during cold and flu season. If you’re curious about how you could prepare for the full onslaught of cold and flu season, just keep on reading.
According to statistics, you have an 11 percent chance of getting a cold and a 3.9 percent risk of the flu.
Most people tend to catch a cold or the flu because they are caught unaware that it’s already cold season or flu season. When is cold and flu season? The good news is that you don’t really have to wait for the actual date to arrive. When you start to feel it in your bones that it’s getting cold, begin your preparations for staying healthy.
It’s better to start early. Staying healthy during cold and flu season is essential for everyone. Just make sure to keep your immune system strong and do your best to prevent the spread. Looking to see an online doctor for cold and flu? You can visit a virtual walk-in clinic without leaving your home.
Here are some simple health tips to keep yourself healthy for this year’s flu and cold season.
Tips to Avoid Cold or Flu: The Hand Situation
Wash and dry your hands properly
Every time you’ve touched something in a public place, it’s important that you wash your hands after. To wash your hands properly, use soap with warm water and scrub thoroughly for at least 30 seconds. Ensure that you wash the front and back of your hands, in between your fingers, and under your fingernails.
After washing, always remember to dry them, as germs that could have remained despite washing can linger longer if your hands are wet. Additionally, if the air is a bit chilly, having damp hands could let heat escape from your skin. This could result in your body working harder to maintain its body temperature. And if your body is not warm enough, you may contract either a cold or the flu.
Use hand sanitizer
Don’t forget to bring your favorite hand sanitizer wherever you go and use it as needed. Germs usually inhabit your hands, especially if you tend to touch your face without really noticing that you do. So it’s very important to use it more, especially during the cold season.
Try to avoid touching your face
Did you know that most people touch their faces at least once every four minutes? This means that if you sleep for eight hours, you feel your face around 400 times in a day. If you notice yourself rubbing your eyes, wiping your nose, touching your lips, or biting your nails, try to avoid doing so. If you continue doing this without at least using hand sanitizer, germs can directly enter your mucus membranes and even your respiratory system. You will then be more susceptible to illnesses during flu season.
Flu Season Tips: Have Some Quality “You” Time
Find some time to relax from your hectic schedule.
Doing so will lead to stress reduction, calm your mind, and improve the number of hours and the quality of sleep. This will prevent cold or flu sources from infecting your body by around 50 percent.
Qigong
Qigong is a traditional Chinese healthcare practice that helps reduce a person’s stress levels, improve focus, and enhance general health. According to a new study, practicing Qigong at least once a week can reduce the incidence of respiratory infections by nearly 70 percent. This is definitely a good way to stay healthy during the cold season.
Get that much-needed rest
Lack of rest causes your body to become three times more prone to getting sick this flu season, because you don’t get enough time to recover, and your immune system becomes compromised.
Related article: Is green mucus from the nose COVID-19
Cold Season Health Tips: Have Some Discipline
Exercise regularly
Maintaining a fit and active physical state encourages better blood flow, allowing immune cells to circulate properly. Doing at least 30 minutes of daily exercise is recommended to avoid getting either a cold or the flu.
Eat fewer sweets
Sugar depletes the infection-fighting abilities of white blood cells, which results in a weakened immune system. Your body will only get to recover once the processed sugar exits your bloodstream, and this could take a few hours. Also, remember that even only six tablespoons of sugar is enough to weaken your white blood cells for 24 hours. That’s just equivalent to three servings of your favorite soda. So it would be best to eat less of your favorite sweets during the cold season. Cutting down on sugar can also be beneficial for lowering your risk of diabetes.
Drink plenty of water
Bear in mind that staying hydrated is crucial for maintaining a healthy immune system and preventing illness. Remember to drink enough water, especially during flu season.
Eat foods that improve your immune system
Foods like sweet potato, carrots, kale, spinach, sweet peppers, kiwi fruit, almonds, avocado, eggs, mushrooms, trout and salmon, oysters, beef and lamb, and Brazil nuts can help enhance your immune system and prevent cold or flu from getting a foothold on your body during cold season or flu season.
Do you have cold or flu questions? Well, we have online healthcare answers! Talk to a doctor for free online today and get the health and wellness tips, advice, and answers you need and deserve. Simply click the button below to start chatting with a doctor today.
