This year’s flu season has started early, but with a little old-fashioned common sense and good hygiene, you can help avoid getting sick this season. Here are a few tips to keep you on the path to good health.
Bundle up: When you go outside, dress for the weather. The temperature has a tendency to swing a variation of up to 40 degrees from very cold to very warm, but it is still winter. Wear a coat, hat, gloves and cover up your body from the cold. Wear heavier clothing when it is cold and lighter outerwear when it is warmer.
Stay hydrated: This may seem like an obvious one, but make sure you are staying hydrated. Your body is 60 percent water and it can’t function properly unless you are hydrated. Plus, if you have the cold sweats, you need to replace the water that your body is expelling.
Take a hot shower: Not only will this help you feel cleaner and overall a bit more put together, but the steam from an extra hot shower will actually help with your congestion and coughing. The addition of a humidifier in your bedroom can also alleviate your coughing during the night, helping you get that much-needed rest.
Cook with garlic: If you’re making some dinner for yourself, incorporate garlic into your recipe. Garlic is thought to have antimicrobial properties, which can both help heal and prevent sickness. There are plenty of delicious recipes that incorporate garlic, so grab a few cloves and whip something up.
Emergen-C: A wonderful blockbuster filled with a variety of Vitamin C will help support the immune system and your general health.
Tea with honey and lemon: When you have a sore throat and a cold, add some honey and lemon to a hot cup of tea. The tea will help soothe your throat alongside the honey, which has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. Honey also works as a cough suppressant, which will help prevent further irritation of your throat.
The addition of lemon juice or a lemon slice will incorporate Vitamin C into your tea, which can help boost your immune system. The citrus from the lemon can also help clear out your throat if you have a cold.
Sleep: It is recommended to sleep at least seven hours a night for your body to restore itself to optimal form. With days shorter, it is optimal to hibernate and get a good night’s sleep to tackle the cold.
