This post is sponsored by Bayer. To make sure these products are right for you, always read and follow the label.
We are few weeks into Fall and as the temperatures continue to drop and leaves change color, we are also heading into cold and flu season. This time of year means more sniffles and sneezes – at home, work, school, airport and anywhere you’ll be spending Thanksgiving or the holiday season in December.
Cold and flu bugs are already making their way around our kids’ school – I blame the drastic changes in temperature we had last month. And it seems to be continuing this month too!
Taking preventative measures may mean suffering less during the next several months and a quicker recovery (if you happen to catch something).
Here are 8 simple ways to minimize the chances of catching a cold or flu this year:
1. Wash Your Hands Regularly
It’s a common myth that cold and flu bugs are spread through the air by coughs and sneezes. Most infections occur as a result of touching surfaces where germs are present. Washing your hands regularly and using disinfectant sprays and wipes is an effective way to prevent the spread of colds. If members of your family starting to show signs of a cold or flu, encourage them to use their own towel and avoid physical contact with others.
2. Don’t Lose Sleep
Seven hours of sleep a night can help to top up the immune system. Energy resources are diverted from the brain and muscles to the immune system during sleep, and can be a valuable boost for fighting colds and flu. If you do catch a winter bug, sleep is an important part of recovery.
3. Clear Your Nose
Battling a stuffy nose while you’re trying to sleep is one of the most annoying things about being sick. Using a saline spray like hydraSense® – a 100% naturally sourced sea water solution that is clinically proven to help get rid of nasal congestion – can help you breathe better while you catch up on some ZZZZZs.
4. Stay Hydrated
Staying well hydrated is advisable if you have a cold or infection, and it can also help to avoid catching winter bugs in the first place. Water helps the kidneys function properly, and it can flush toxins from your body. Herbal tea and soup can also keep you hydrated if water doesn’t cut it.
If you have a sore throat, sucking on ice chips will keep you hydrated and give temporary relief by numbing and calming some of the inflammation.
5. Top Up on Vitamins
When you’re sick, making nutritious meals may feel like more of a chore. If your sick-day meals are more microwave friendly than health conscious, it’s also important to make sure you’re getting the nutrients you need with a multivitamin. They’ll help the body’s functions and mechanisms to continue working effectively during the winter months.
If you’re not a fan of pills, try One A Day® Gummies. They’re a fun and tasty way for adults to get their essential vitamins and are formulated to aid in the maintenance of good health.
Vitamin C can speed up recovery time so consider something like a Redoxon® tablet to a glass of cold water when you’re battling the cold or flu. You get 10 oranges worth of vitamin C in one tablet. Keep in mind, this is not meant to replace food.
6. Go for a Walk
Starting to get the sniffles or a stuffy nose? Light exercise can help relieve congestion. Instead of staying indoors all day, a short walk around the block can help you feel restored. Make sure you don’t overdo it though.
7. Stay Warm
If you’re headed outdoors, make it a priority to stay warm. Low temperatures aren’t a direct cause of colds and flu, but they can make you susceptible if you don’t wrap up. Shivering depresses the immune system, and this increases risks of infection. Sudden changes in temperature, such as a cold snap after a mild fall, can affect hormones that boost the immune system.
8. Avoid the Crowds
Crowded places like department stores and airports are typical examples of where infections spread more easily. Central heating can make this worse by drying out the protective mucus in nasal passages. Avoid crowded indoor spaces if you want to minimize the chances of a catching a cold or flu.
Remember, the last thing you want to do when you’re sick is go to the store so make sure to stock up on any of your “sick day must haves” beforehand. What are your best cold and flu prevention tips?
This post is sponsored by Bayer. To make sure these products are right for you, always read and follow the label.
