8 Ways to Stay Healthy in Cold and Flu Season

Winter is a great season for enjoying cuddles and warm meals with the family, however there is a negative side – fighting colds and flu!

Getting a flu shot is one of the best ways to defend yourself, however here are 8 helpful tips to prevent and treat colds and flu…

>> Wash your hands regularly, especially after you have blown your nose, coughed, sneezed, etc.

>> Talk to your doctor if you would like some professional advice

>> Eat an immune-boosting diet that is rich in vitamin C and E

>> Stay hydrated at all times by drinking pure, clean water

>> Get enough sleep – not resting enough can put your body and your immune system under a lot of stress

>> Make sure to exercise on a regular basis as it stimulates your immune system and also promotes healthy sleep

>> Always listen to your body! If you come down with a cold or the flu – take it easy

>> If your systems get significantly bad, seek medical attention right away

Remember, just because it is cold and flu season doesn’t mean you’re bound to get sick. Use these tips or get yourself a flu shot and before you know it fighting the flu will be a thing of the past.

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How to stay healthy during allergy season

If you find yourself suffering from sneezing, itchy eyes, and pressure headaches every spring, welcome to the seasonal allergy club. Here are some common questions about pollen allergies — and how to survive them without losing your mind.

How do I know if I have allergies, a cold, or a sinus infection?

It can be tough to tell sometimes. Unlike allergies, a cold or respiratory infection often brings on a fever, so that’s a key indicator. If your nasal congestion clears up within one to two weeks, chances are you had a cold rather than allergies. Seasonal allergy symptoms tend to last three weeks or more, depending on the types of pollen you’re allergic to.

Is it possible to prevent allergies?

You can’t prevent seasonal allergy symptoms from occurring, but you can do things to minimize the impact of the symptoms on your quality of life. Here are some recommended steps you take before and during allergy season:

- Start a steroid nasal spray about four to six weeks ahead of pollen season.

- Stay indoors during peak pollen hours, such as mornings. On high-pollen days, stay indoors as much as possible.

- Do your seasonal cleaning before pollen’s in the air. You may still have to cope with dust allergies while cleaning, but at least you won’t have to deal with dust and pollen.

- Keep windows closed when pollen counts are high.

- Place air filters inside your air conditioning vents to prevent pollen from getting blown into your living space.

- Get a dehumidifier. These devices also filter the air in your home, which may help improve your indoor air quality.

- Remove outer garments outside and shake them off before bringing them indoors. Even though you may not be able to see pollen on your clothing, it’s there.

- Wash pollen down the drain by showering as soon as you get home. Pollen sticks to your hair and skin, so rinsing it off will help keep it out of your bed, carpet, and furniture.

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