Cold and flu season is upon us. Here are a few helpful tips to protect yourself from getting sick this winter.
Wash Your Hands Often
Washing your hands frequently minimizes your risk of contracting or spreading germs. In addition to washing your hands every time you use the bathroom, you should wash them after any contact with high-touch surfaces like public transportation or doorknobs, and especially before you touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. Be sure to scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. The CDC recommends singing Happy Birthday to yourself twice.
Get Enough Sleep
Sleep is crucial to staying healthy. When you are sleep-deprived, your body decreases its production of infection-fighting antibodies that it needs to protect you from bacteria and viruses. So, make sure you get plenty of sleep every night and resist the urge to stay up late getting tasks done that can wait until tomorrow.
Keep Your Home Clean
Taking time to clean and sanitize your home is a great way to protect yourself and your family against illness. Even if it means just wiping down surfaces once a week, the more effort you put into keeping your home clean, the more you can prevent the spread of germs.
Load Up on Vitamins
Ensuring you get all the vitamins your body needs will help build up your immune system, so you’re less likely to get sick and better able to fight off any infections. The best vitamins for improving your immune system are C, B6, and E. For some, simply adding a vitamin supplement to their routine is sufficient. For others, increasing vitamin intake by changing the foods they eat is the way to go. If you are not sure if you are getting the appropriate amount of vitamins in your diet, speak with your doctor or a nutritionist who can help.
Work Out Regularly
This tip may lead you to groan, especially if your schedule is already jam-packed. But working out regularly – even just 10 minutes per day – does a lot of good for your immune system. Studies show that exercise mobilizes pathogen- and inflammation-fighting immune cells throughout the body.
Stay Home When You’re Sick
In the event that you do get sick, the best thing you can do for yourself – and others – is to stay home! You’ll not only find that you get over your illness much quicker but your co-workers and friends will thank you for not spreading it to them!