Whether you work in the public or have little ones at home, it can be extremely difficult to avoid getting sick once winter settles in. Winter is the most common time of the year where people get a cold, the flu, strep throat, bronchitis, pneumonia, or some other unpleasant illness. And unfortunately, the peak of cold and flu season typically won’t reach its peak until the holidays. While many people confuse a common cold or illness with allergies and sinus problems, it’s safe to say that if you are feeling down in the dumps this winter, you should contact your local ENT doctor.
If you are, well, sick and tired of feeling under the weather and are committed to staying healthy this, we’ve got some great tips for you. From washing your hands to getting plenty of sleep and taking your daily vitamins, here’s how to keep illness at bay in your home for the holidays:
- Get your flu shot. If you haven’t had your flu shot yet, now is the perfect time to do so. There should be multiple places in your city to get your flu shot, such as at your doctors, your local health clinic, and many grocery stores
- Wash your hands. We cannot reiterate this enough! Washing your hands with soap and water as frequently as possible is one of the best ways to prevent spreading germs and catching something nasty
- Get enough sleep. When you are sleep deprived, your immune system is weakened and you are most susceptible to germs, viruses, and bacteria
- Take your vitamins. Vitamin C, Vitamin D, zinc, and echinacea are all proven to help people stay healthy during the height of cold and flu season. If you don’t already, getting in the habit of taking a multivitamin on a daily basis is a great idea
- Make sure you’re exercising. It can be easy to fall victim to laziness during the winter, but this could do more harm than you may think. Making a point to do something active at least 30 minutes per day has been proved to boost the body’s defenses and viruses and bacteria
- Make wise food choices. Making an effort to eat something green and nutrient-packed with at least one meal per day will help keep your body healthy and capable of battling incoming viruses or bacteria
- Nix nosebleeds. Nosebleeds are extremely common during the winter months due to dryness and sinus infections. By using a nasal saline rinse to keep your nose hydrated, you will be helping your sinuses to self-cleanse and clear our viruses and allergens
Avoid getting sick in winter by following the above tips. If you have any questions about what you’ve read or would like to meet with one of our ENT doctors, please contact us today.