Winter is a time of twinkling lights, holiday cheer and . . . dreaded head colds. If you find yourself cringing every time you pass a sniffling child in the store, it’s time to take more productive actions to protect yourself from germs. Here are five simple tips to help you keep sickness at bay during the upcoming cold season.
Get Your Flu Shot
It’s pointless to get the flu shot after you’re already sick with the flu, so make sure you get it early. The ideal time to get it is the end of October, but you can also get it well into November and December. There are places that offer the flu shot for free, so do a quick online search to find out where your community offers complimentary shots. This is also a great time to get your routine physical exam so you can address any health issues before cold season sets in. Newport Medical and Wellness Center offers comprehensive physical exams and sports physicals.
Eat Healthy Food
During the holidays, cakes, cookies and pies abound. You may feel like there’s no way to escape them. While it’s okay to indulge occasionally, don’t let pastries and sugary foods become the staple of your diet in the winter. If you do, your immune system will be weakened and you’ll be more likely to catch every sickness that comes your way. Instead, eat plenty of vegetables, fruits and healthy grains. If you do get sick, you may also want to supplement with Vitamin C, which may reduce the duration of the common cold.
Use Hand Sanitizer Regularly
Hand sanitizer can help you remove germs from your hands after being out in public. Anytime you go to the grocery store, the movies or any other place where a lot of people gather, it’s important to wash your hands or sanitize. Sanitizer is often more convenient because you can put it in your pocket or purse and bring it with you wherever you go.
Exercise Wisely
To maintain optimal health, it’s important to exercise throughout the cold and flu season. On days when you feel healthy and strong, exercise normally. If you feel like your body is fighting a sickness, limit your exercise to gentle daily walking and don’t overdo it. Pushing your body to complete a taxing workout when it’s already fighting off a virus weakens it. If you do this, you’ll likely end up very sick.
Don’t Neglect Your Sleep
Holiday dinners and parties make it tempting to stay out late night after night. But if you want to maintain your health through the winter, you need to make sure you get enough sleep every night. Whenever possible, do your best to still maintain your normal sleep schedule, even if it means leaving the party a little early. With adequate sleep, your body will have time to rest, repair and fight off illnesses more effectively.
Wintertime doesn’t have to be synonymous with sickness and misery. Follow these five tips to keep your body in tip-top shape so you can fight off any cold and flu germs that come your way this holiday season.
