It’s a scene repeated across the country. Innocent people going about their daily routines of work, school and play, and then it happens…a sneeze. One sneeze turns into two and then a cough, followed by a headache and fever. Before you know it, you are in the throes of a full-blown cold. Just like that you are down for the count. Plans are cancelled and replaced with tissues and Tylenol. So how do you avoid the dreaded winter illness? This is a question that has stumped even the most learned scholars for decades. Here are a few simple things you can do to help prevent winter time illnesses.
Wash, Wash, Wash
As basic as this sounds, this is one of the best ways to remove germs, prevent the spread of germs and avoid getting sick. Wet, lather, rinse, repeat. But what happens when you need to wash your hands and there is no water around? You guessed it, hand sanitizer. According to the Centers for Disease Control, using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that is at least 60% alcohol can quickly remove germs in some situations, but not all, so be sure to follow up with good old soap and water.
Exercise
When the temperature starts to drop, so does the motivation to exercise. However, exercising during the winter months not only helps prevent the extra “baggage” most people tend to accumulate during the holidays, but it also boosts your immune system. Exercise increases your circulation and blood flow which means that components of your immune system are also being circulated more, giving your body a better chance of fighting an illness before you ever notice.
Get Your Fiber
We’ve all been told that fiber is an essential part of our diets. This is even more true during the winter months. Soluble fiber rich foods such as, apples, oats and nuts provide an immunity boost to your system and help decrease inflammation. Other “winter foods” such as legumes, cranberries, winter squash and even turkey all have a hand in keep you healthy in the winter.
Replace Coffee with Green or Black Tea
Don’t panic! You don’t have to give up coffee completely, but replacing your coffee with one or two cups of green or black tea could help you stay healthy this winter. According to a publication from Harvard Medical School, green and black tea contain catechins and epicatechins, which are flavonoids. Flavonoids are plant chemicals found in many fruits and vegetables and are powerful antioxidants with strong anti-inflammatory and immune boosting benefits. But don’t go too crazy, after all, too much of anything can be harmful. According to the New England Journal of Medicine, excessive amounts of some teas can be harmful to your kidneys, so stick to one or two cups per day.
It’s Ok to be a Scrooge
As much as we all love a good holiday party, when it comes to illnesses, it’s ok to be a Scrooge. If you aren’t feeling well, or if you know that someone that is going to a party has been under the weather, STAY HOME! The best way to avoid getting sick is to avoid those that are sick. There will be plenty of time for parties when you or others are feeling better.
Clean, Clean, Clean
We’ve already talked about keeping your hands clean, but what about your home? During the winter months, it is important to keep all “points of contact” clean. Items like the TV remote, laptops, cellphones and light switches, which are touched by different people throughout the day, are the perfect breeding ground for germs. Try using antibacterial wipes and sprays daily to keep as many of the germs away as possible. Sometimes sickness is just unavoidable, but if you are proactive this winter season you might just be able to outsmart those nasty germs that are lurking around every corner. Stay healthy, Fuquay-Varina!
