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Cold and flu season is here, and you know what that means: it’s time to get your game face on. No more going about your normal day-to-day activities without a care in the world. Now is the time to take precautionary measures and preemptively strike against any potential flu or cold threats that could linger around for the rest of this season, and beyond. Luckily, as a smart human being with access to the internet, we have compiled a list of helpful tips on how you can survive cold and flu season with flying colors. Check out our list below!
Stay hydrated
As we move into the colder weather, and our skin becomes drier as a result, we can become dehydrated more easily, which can weaken our immune system, making it less effective at fighting off infections. To avoid this, make sure you are hydrated throughout the day, and be extra mindful of your intake if you are pregnant or elderly. Additionally, you can make sure you are hydrated by drinking warm water, as opposed to cold water, as this is better for your circulation, helping you to retain more water.
Strengthen your immune system
As we have said, the best way to avoid catching a cold or the flu is to build up a strong immune system, which is why this is on our list of tips to survive cold and flu season. The best way to do this is by eating a healthy, balanced diet, and making sure you get enough sleep each night. On the note of food, you should be eating plenty of vitamins and minerals, including lots of fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, fish, and whole grains. Additionally, you should avoid eating too much sugar, salt, processed food, and dairy products.
Don’t forget the vitamins
Another great way to strengthen your immune system, as well as maintain overall health is through the use of supplements, or vitamins. If you are not eating a healthy, balanced diet on a daily basis, you might find it particularly helpful to take a daily vitamin supplement. Not only do vitamin supplements help you to maintain good health, but they also can be helpful in treating certain ailments as well. Similarly to eating a healthy diet, supplements that contain vitamins A, C, and E, as well as iron and zinc are particularly helpful in strengthening the immune system. While there are a variety of supplements available to purchase at your local pharmacy, vitamins are not regulated by the FDA, meaning that they can be sold at any price, even if they are of low quality.
Make sure your bed is game-ready
If you are anything like us, you spend approximately one-third of your life in bed, which makes it the perfect place to prepare your body for a fight against sickness. Make sure that you are getting enough sleep, and that your bed is a clean and comfortable environment. One thing you can do to prepare your bed for the cold and flu season is to invest in a bed bug proof mattress cover. They are fantastic at protecting your mattress from dust mites, bed bugs, and other allergens, as well as moisture. Another great way to protect your mattress from the cold is by investing in a good quality wool mattress topper. They are not only comfortable, but they have great insulating properties that make them perfect for the winter months.
Lock in the smells you love (and ones you don’t)
While you should definitely be locking in the smells you love, you should also make sure to eliminate the smells you don’t love in your home. One of the biggest threats to your health during the winter months is the presence of mold and mildew. Mold and mildew thrive in humid environments, such as the ones created by faulty buildings in the winter, and can be a real threat to your health. To prevent the growth of mold and mildew in your home, make sure to keep humidity levels low, and to do this, you need to eliminate as many odors as possible. You can do this by using scented candles, as well as scented oils.
Install a humidifier
While you should definitely be doing everything you can to maintain low humidity levels in your home, you should also be doing everything you can to keep your mucous membranes moist, and your nose running freely. To do this, you need to make sure that the air that is being pumped into your home is as humid as possible, and humidifiers are the best way to do this. Humidifiers can be used to help treat a variety of ailments, including allergies, congestion, asthma, and coughs, as well as help with general health. To maximize their benefits, it is important to make sure that you are keeping them clean and maintained, as they can grow mold and bacteria if they are not properly looked after.
Conclusion
Colds and flu are a fact of life at this time of the year, and they usually hit hard and fast. You can protect yourself and your loved ones from catching these nasty bugs by following these tips. Stay hydrated, strengthen your immune system, don’t forget the vitamins, make sure your bed is game-ready, and install a humidifier. With these tips, you’ll be able to survive cold and flu season.