How to Avoid Getting Sick This Winter
Dress in layers
You want to stay warm outdoors so you put on a lot of warm clothes. Most of your body heat escapes out of the top of your head. To avoid this, wear a hat whenever you are out in the cold. If you dress in layers, when you enter a heated building you can remove some of the layers so you don't over heat. Staying a steady temperature will help your body stay healthy.
Wash your hands (and any other body parts exposed to the elements)
Your hands come in contact with millions of germs a day. It is important to wash your hands frequently. Not only should you wash them often, you need to make sure you are washing them in warm water with a dime-sized drop of soap for 20 seconds (sing the ABC song or Happy Birthday twice). Then make sure to dry your hands well so they don't get cold.
Washing your hands with soap and water is always better than using hand sanitizers. Sanitizers strip the top layer of oil of your skin and remove little of the harmful bacteria. Hand sanitizers can be used when a sink is not available but they are never a substitute for washing your hands.
Exercise and eat properly
Exercising and eating healthfully is important to keep your immune system on track. You should exercise 4 to 6 times a week for 30 to 60 minutes. After you exercise, be sure to get out of your sweaty clothes and shower as soon as possible.
Many websites suggest eating leeks and green onions to fight the common cold. Leeks have many other health benefits so I say it is worth a try. Some websites even suggests rubbing raw onions on your chest. I think a delicious warm soup made with leeks, onions and carrots (for vitamin C) is a great way to avoid a cold.
Drink lots of water
Staying hydrated is proven to boost your immune system and fight off the cold and flu germs.
Get your vitamins
Vitamin C has an anti-histamine affect to help fight a runny nose. Echinacea is an herb that supports immune system health. Raw garlic can also be used to fight cold germs. I know raw garlic is not ideal so look for garlic supplements; they will do the trick. Research has shown that at the first sign of a cold, zinc lozenges will help shorten the cold's duration. All of these vitamins and herbs can be taken to prevent sickness or to treat a cold.
Keep areas clean
If someone in your house or office gets sick, make sure to thoroughly clean all of the areas they frequent. Encourage them to frequently wash their hands.
Get lots of sleep
Sleep boosts your immune system and gives your body time to rest so it is more apt for fighting a cold during the day.
Avoid people who are sick
Germs can spread through coughing and sneezing. If you have to take a day off work or school to avoid getting sick, it is better than taking a week off to recover.
If you follow my tips, I can almost guarantee a healthy winter. If you have suggestions that I didn't include, please share them in a comment.
I wish all of you HEALTH and happiness!
Published by J M K
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9 Comments
Post a CommentHi - great article except that hand santizers (the good ones) have actually been shown to kill more harmful bacteria than soap and water. That's why they are all over the hospitals. In general, though, they do strip your skin, they do not get ride of surface dirt and they are totally not necessary - unless you can't get to a sink or if you are a health care provider. Like me. =) Best of luck to you!
Great tips. I always dress in layers. Here in Ohio the weather can change in the blink of an eye.
Spend many years contracting all known cold viruses and build immunity to all of them: Helpful hint #27 from the "Only good thing about aging"
I try to do all these because I'm prone to colds. Great read!
Excellent advice..for some it may be common sense; however sometimes we need to be reminded of our common sense..LOL!
Good common sense advice, thanks!
Excellent work with this !!!
Good advice Jenna!
Awesome advice. Especially the hand washing... such a simple thing, and yet we are usually to busy to do it.