Cold and flu season begins as the weather starts to get colder. During this time of year, the number of cases of colds, flu, and other respiratory illnesses increases. These illnesses can cause unpleasant symptoms such as nasal congestion, sore throat, cough, fever, chills, body aches, headaches, fatigue, and more. If you want to avoid getting sick, follow these tips on how to stay healthy during cold and flu season:
1. Wash Your Hands
One of the best ways to stay healthy during cold and flu season is to wash your hands as often as you reasonably can. It’s especially important to wash your hands after you have been around someone who is sick or after touching high-touch surfaces. Scrub your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds to wash away germs. Make sure you wash every surface of your hands, including the palms, backs, between your fingers, and under your fingernails.
2. Sanitize Surfaces
The viruses that circulate during cold and flu season can live on hard surfaces for anywhere from a few hours to several days. If you want to avoid getting sick, make sure you clean and disinfect hard surfaces regularly. These include door handles, light switches, countertops, remote controls, electronics, gym equipment, thermometers, etc. It’s less likely for germs to be spread from soft surfaces like blankets, stuffed animals, and clothing, but it’s a good idea to wash these as well after they have been in contact with a sick person.
3. Avoid Being Around Sick people
If you want to stay healthy during cold and flu season, you need to avoid being around people who are sick or who are experiencing symptoms. If you know someone is sick, try to keep your distance. It’s also a good idea to avoid touching anything that a sick person has touched. For example, when a loved one at home is sick, avoid sharing toiletries, eating utensils, and anything else that comes into direct contact with your skin. If you need to be around someone who is sick, make sure you wash your hands afterwards and sanitize any surfaces they may have touched.
4. Get a Flu Shot
A great way to stay healthy during cold and flu season is to get a flu shot. Flu viruses mutate each season, so it’s important to get a flu shot every year. This will ensure you are protected against the current flu strain. It’s recommended for anyone over the age of 6 months who is medically cleared to get a flu shot at the start of flu season each year to optimize protection against influenza. This allows your body to build immunity against flu viruses by teaching it to make antibodies to fight off illness.
5. Sleep
Getting enough quality sleep is essential for your body to fight off viruses and infections. If you want to avoid getting sick during cold and flu season, you need to prioritize sleep. Studies have found that people who get less than seven hours of sleep per night are up to three times more likely to get sick with colds and the flu than those who sleep for at least eight hours each night. Regular quality sleep allows your immune system to function properly to protect you from illness.
6. Don’t Touch Your Face
Your hands are constantly coming into contact with surfaces that other people have touched. Even if you regularly wash your hands, they can still get germs on them in between washes. That’s why it’s essential to avoid touching your face during cold and flu season. Your nose, mouth, and eyes are common entry points for germs like cold and flu viruses. Touching your face allows these germs to transfer to these areas of your face where they can then enter your body and infect you.
7. Take Supplements
If you want to avoid getting sick during cold and flu season, you need to boost your body’s ability to fight off infection. Your immune system needs certain vitamins and minerals to function. Research suggests that taking vitamin C and zinc supplements can help shorten the duration of respiratory infections like colds and the flu. Other beneficial nutrients include vitamin D, N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), and quercetin.
One of the best ways to support a healthy immune system is taking a comprehensive immunity-boosting supplement. Immune Igniter contains a powerful blend of antioxidants and key nutrients, including vitamin C, zinc, vitamin D, NAC, and quercetin. This combination provides immune system and respiratory support so you can stay healthy during cold and flu season.