Home By Geneva >> Fight Off Cold & Flu Season with These 9 Tips
Cold and Flu Season is almost upon us. With cold temperatures, illness, and viruses are more common during these cold winter months. We’ve got you covered by compiling our best tips and tricks to ensure you stay healthy this season.
1. Get Your Flu Shot
Flu shots create herd immunity, protecting those in the community who are unable to get vaccinated. The flu virus mutates every year, so it’s important to get your shot before the season starts!
2. Stay Home When You Feel Sick
Most people don’t want to let a little sniffle hold them back from getting their work done or from enjoying everything the fall season has to offer. However, if you are still going into public when you’re under the weather, you could be unconsciously spreading your sickness to those around you. If you’re not feeling your best, stay home and away from others, especially those with compromised immune systems until at least 24 hours after a fever breaks. Visit your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your health.
3. Wash Your Hands
Washing your hands is the #1 way to prevent the spread of disease and bacteria. Washing your hands with soap and warm water and paying special attention to your fingernails will help prevent colds. These areas most often missed.
4. Clean and Disinfect Regularly
This is especially important during cold and flu season. You are spreading outside bacteria everywhere you touch. Be sure to clean and disinfect your living space, your car, your cell phone, anything you are regularly interacting with that could be carrying bad germs.
5. Get a Full Night’s Sleep
It can be difficult to fit in a full night’s rest, but your body needs good-quality sleep to replenish your defenses. Be sure you are getting plenty of quality rest proportional to your energy expenditure.
6. Eat Well and Exercise
Just as with sleep, your diet and exercise habits fuel your body’s defenses. Speak with your doctor about setting up a healthy diet and exercise regimen for your fitness level. Don’t be afraid to start small!
7. Soak Up Your Sunshine
A healthy dose of sunshine can provide your body with the Vitamin D it needs to absorb and retain phosphorus and calcium, protecting your body from infection. So, be sure to get outside and soak in those rays. (Just don’t forget the sunscreen!)
8. Drink Plenty of Fluids
When you’re feeling sick, your body can lose its retained fluid. Be sure to drink plenty of water to replenish your reserves and loosen any built-up mucus. Yuck!
9. Take Steps to Manage Stress
Studies have shown that your mental health and stress levels can have real physical effects on your health. Taking steps to manage those stresses where you can can be a big step in preventing a drop in your immune system.