Nine Vital Tips for Surviving Flu Season
Flu season is on its way, which means it’s time to prepare for sniffles, coughs, and high fevers. Nobody wants to spend several days trapped in bed, so to minimize the threat of illness, take a look at these simple tips for surviving flu season. Get ready for the cold weather and the sick season—you’ll be glad you did.
Wash Your Hands
Washing your hands can be your saving grace for getting rid of all those pesky germs and bacteria. This advice holds no matter the time of year, but during flu season, it’s even more vital.
Sleep at Least Eight Hours
Another good piece of advice all year round is to sleep for at least eight hours each night. This is critical for staying healthy during the flu season. Lack of sleep weakens your immune system and leaves you more susceptible to pesky colds. Getting a good night’s rest will do wonders for your health during this time.
Eat Well
Powering your body with essential nutrients will keep your body strong and healthy during flu season. Make sure you get all your fruits, vegetables, and proteins—these can help stave off sickness. A few different foods can also help you fight colds; chicken soup, mushrooms, and spicy foods such as curry are good examples.
Keep Things Clean
With germs flying all over the place, you have to stay conscious about the things you touch. If you’re going to the park with your children, make sure you follow safe hygiene practices by wiping down equipment and having them wash their hands afterward. Use the same caution at home—disinfectant wipes are your friend this time of year.
Exercise Often
One of the best things you can do to protect yourself from flu season is to lead a generally healthy lifestyle. This means daily movement and exercise. Avoid working out if you do get sick, as you’ll need to save energy to fight off the virus.
Drink Lots of Fluids
Another one of the most important tips for surviving flu season is to hydrate. Fluids help thin out the mucus that sits in your body when you’re sick, flushing it from your body faster. Even when you’re not sick, lots of liquid will help prevent germs from affecting you.
Get Fresh Air
Fresh air is another vital aspect—stuffy rooms are no help when it comes to airing out germs, especially once the cold weather comes around. Let a little fresh air circulate in your home each day, especially if you’re feeling under the weather. If you need some exercise, head outside for a quick walk—fresh air does the body good!
Stop Touching Your Face
Researchers have found that people touch their faces an average of two to five times a minute, which adds up to about 3,000 times a day. In general, touching your face literally brings you closer to germs and bacteria, but when this happens during flu season, the flu is that much closer to hitting you hard.
Take a Break
If you feel a cold coming on, stop trying to get through everything on your to-do list and take a break. The more you rest, the shorter your cold will be. Powering through can do more harm than good.
