5 Ways To Avoid Getting Sick This Winter
5 Ways To Avoid Getting Sick This Winter
One reason it is so hard to guard against illnesses like the common cold is because we are often exposed to germs without even realizing it. This is why it is so important to stay proactive about preventing the flu throughout the winter instead of doing damage control after we have become sick. Prevention keeps you healthy and will even make you feel better without a ton of work or used up sick days.
Avoid Touching Your Face
The easiest gateways for germs to enter our bodies is by touching our eyes, mouth, and nose with our hands. Studies conducted in 2013 found that people who touch their eyes and nose regularly without washing their hands are 41 percent more likely to develop chronic upper respiratory problems. If you feel like you need to wipe the corner of your eyes during the day, find a tissue first and be sure to wash your hands.
Skip the Junk Food
Winter might feel like a time for indulging in comfort food or taking part in huge meals with the family, but having junk food nonstop puts your body through an incredible amount of strain. Maintaining a healthy diet rich in fresh produce, lean proteins, and whole grains will keep your immune system firing on all cylinders.
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Keep Your Extremities Warm
While it may seem like an old wives’ tale, having cold hands and feet will actually put a strain on your immune system and affect your internal temperature. Stocking up on warm boots and gloves is more affordable than buying tons of cough medicine. And companies such as discountrue.com now offer promo codes and coupons for clothing retailers like 6 PM so it doesn’t have to take even more of a chunk out of your pocket cash.
Invest in a Humidifier
Standing out in the cold for a long period of time without warm clothing will not cause a viral infection, but it can damage the protective cilia that trap germs in your nose. One great way to protect your nasal passage is to invest in a humidifier and keep your home’s humidity between 30 and 50 percent. If you are going to be out of the home for a while, then you might want to keep a saline gel sprayer with you to spritz up your nose a few times per day.
Exercise Regularly
Those prone to frequent illnesses during the winter should attempt to exercise frequently, but also avoid extremely strenuous training programs. Around 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week can reduce your risk of catching a cold by 20 percent. Rigorous training for more than an hour or two per day, however, can have the opposite effect. Make sure your exercise keeps you healthy and strong and doesn’t put your body through too much stress. With more exercise, make sure you get more sleep as well.
A serious cold or infection is going to bring every facet of your life to a standstill. Getting proactive about avoiding these illnesses will keep your happy, healthy, and productive no matter the season.