4 Ways to Keep Yourself from Getting Sick this Winter
While you may get sick all year long, it just seems to happen more in the winter – and for good reason. With holiday shopping, family get togethers, school, and the fact you’re spending more time inside around other people than out, germs are bound to get passed around. If missing work or school to fight off the common cold doesn’t sound like a weekend of fun for you, then don’t fret. While it’s impossible to guarantee that you won’t get sick this winter, here are some ways to boost your immune system to help you avoid catching a cold – or worst.
Keep Your Health Up by Eating Right
In order to effectively fight off colds, it’s important to make sure that you’re giving your body everything it needs. You may even want to consider taking vitamins to supplement what you’re missing you’re missing your diet. Certain vitamins, like D, which can be scare in the gloomy winter months, and C, are vital to a healthy immune system. Adding probiotic rich foods, such as Greek yogurt, can help you fight off any harmful bacteria that you may come in contact with. While you’re at it, go ahead and fix yourself some tea – not only will it keep you warm when the weather gets cold, but tea, especially green, can help prevent bacteria based infections such as pneumonia.
Get Your Vaccines
While it may seem obvious to get all your vaccines to prevent getting sick, they do a lot more. For instance, Polio can damage your immune system by erasing any immunology memory that had been stored, opening you up to reinfection, making it vital to make sure you’re up to date on this shot. And, even if you do still catch a different strain of the flu, by having the flu shot, the severity of your symptoms is much less.
Keep Your Hands to Yourself
But not too close to yourself. While you want to avoid touching things in stores as much as possible, you also want to avoid touching openings on your body such as your eyes, nose, and mouth. These provide perfect entry ways to bacteria, so it’s important to refrain from touching. Washing your hands often will also help combat germs that try to make a home on your skin only to later move inside, making you sick.
Get Enough Sleep
Just like with changing your diet, in order for your body to properly fight off any possible infections, you need to make sure you’re getting enough sleep. When you’re not getting enough sleep, your body will focus on supporting you as you go through the motions rather than fighting as hard as it should. While it may be difficult, especially as the holidays draw closer and final exam season comes around, you should aim to get at least 8 to 10 hours of sleep every single night. This will keep your body in the best condition to help prevent any sicknesses.
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