HOW TO BEAT THE WINTER COLD & FLU SEASON

The start of the school year ushers in football season, brisk fall days, and the upcoming holidays. It’s also the start of cold and flu season. So, how do we beat cold and flu season to prevent illness? Let’s look at some tips to stay healthy this time of year.

Wash Your Hands

Good hand hygiene is the best way to prevent getting sick. We often pick up viruses by touching a contaminated surface then touching our face. 

Washing your hands for about 20 seconds with a scent free soap or using hand sanitizer throughout the day can help prevent you from picking up those winter bugs.

Cover Your Cough

If you happen to pick up a virus, cough or sneeze into your elbow or a tissue and wash your hands afterwards. Covering your cough or sneeze prevents airborne spread of your virus - another common way that we get sick during the winter. 

Wear a Mask 

No one wants to go back to the days of mandatory masking. But if you have a depressed immune system or someone in your household does, consider wearing a mask in crowded settings.

Get Plenty of Sleep 

Good sleep promotes proper immune function. Try to go to bed and wake up on a regular schedule to support immune system health so you can better fight off any infection.

Eat Healthy

A well-balanced diet will provide your immune system with the proper nutrients to fight infection. Chicken soup can be great when you are ill.

Keep Exercising 

Regular exercise supports immune system health. Try to get in some moderate activity about three times a week.

Get Routine Vaccines

A yearly flu and COVID shot helps prevent co-infections, which can make you more prone to developing infections like pneumonia. 

Hopefully, these tips will help you beat the upcoming cold and flu season. Stay healthy!