Staying healthy in winter – or at least trying to – is important to feel your best, and to keep yourself safe during the cold and flu season.
In the cooler months, there’s nothing worse than the runny nose, chesty cough, and generally feeling like you’ve been hit by a freight train – all symptoms that you may be developing a cold or the flu. However, there are a few relatively minor things that you can do to try and prevent getting sick.
Tips On Staying Healthy In Winter
Wash, Wipe, Cover – It really can be as simple as washing your hands, wiping down surfaces in your home and outside, and covering your mouth with your elbow when you cough or sneeze. These three steps are essential in keeping any nasty bacteria at bay.
Get The Flu Shot – Influenza can be far more serious than the common cold, especially in young children, those over 65, or with a pre-existing medical condition. According to the CDC, opting for the annual flu vaccine is one of the best measures available to prevent an infection.
Stay Active – When we exercise, it increases oxygen levels in our blood for distribution and cell regeneration. The latter in particular helps to keep our immune system at its best in order to stamp out invading pathogens. While it can be easy to “hibernate” – take the time to get outside.
Get Some Sleep – A good night’s sleep gives our body a chance to reset and heal itself from the past day’s activities. If we aren’t getting enough sleep our body isn’t running at top speed, with studies suggesting that it can dramatically increase our odds of getting sick.
Watch Your Eating Habits – While it’s easy to indulge in heavy curries, pastas and thicker food for warmth in winter, ensure you are still eating at least five serves of vegetables and two serves of fruit a day. Maintaining healthy eating habits help to keep our immune systems at their best.
What Happens If You Get Sick Anyway?
While these tips on staying healthy in winter are considered to be preventative, you may still be unlucky enough to be struck down by the common cold or the flu.
Please consider that symptoms often match that of Covid-19. As the signs between coronavirus, influenza and the common cold can be very similar – why not book in an online medical consultation with the team at 13 Doctor? Access to a doctor from the comfort of your own home has never been easier.