Cold and flu season occurs during the colder months of the year, and virus activity typically peaks between December and February. However, cold and flu season can start as early as October and last as late as May. Even though there are lots of opportunities to get sick during this season, there are also plenty of things you can do to stay healthy. Here are some tips you can follow to help you stay healthy and avoid getting sick during cold and flu season:
1. Avoid Contact with Sick People
One of the best ways to stay healthy during cold and flu season is to stay away from people who you know are sick or who may be experiencing cold or flu symptoms. Cold and flu viruses are primarily spread in droplets that travel through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. Even if you are not directly next to someone who is sick, you can still be exposed to these virus-carrying droplets. If you need to be around a sick person, make sure you wash your hands afterwards and sanitize any surfaces that may have been exposed to the virus.
2. Wash Your Hands
A great way to stay healthy during cold and flu season is to wash your hands often. Hand washing should always be a habit no matter the season, but this practice becomes even more important when you are trying to avoid getting sick. Wash your hands whenever you can, especially after touching high-touch surfaces or being around someone who may be sick. Scrub your hands with soap for at least 20 seconds, making sure to get every surface. Scrubbing with soap physically removes germs from your hands so they can’t get into your body to make you sick.
3. Don’t Touch Your Face
Even if you wash your hands frequently, you should still 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 that can make you sick when they get inside your body. When you avoid touching your face, you reduce the risk of putting these germs in a place where they can infect you. Make sure you also avoid biting your nails, as this gives germs direct access to your mouth.
4. Sanitize High-Touch Areas
Studies have found that germs like cold and flu viruses can live on hard surfaces for several hours or even up to several days. It’s important to disinfect these surfaces often during cold and flu season to minimize the spread of illness-causing germs. High-touch surfaces can include countertops, doorknobs, light switches, remote controls, gym equipment, electronics, toys, and thermometers. Germs are less likely to spread via soft surfaces like clothing and stuffed animals, but it’s still a good idea to wash these items after they come into contact with a sick person.
5. Get Plenty of Sleep
When you sleep, your body works on healing itself and fighting germs. If you want to stay healthy during cold and flu season, try getting a good night’s sleep every night. Research has found that individuals who get fewer than seven hours of sleep each night are up to three times more likely to catch respiratory infections than those who get at least eight hours of sleep per night. Quality sleep strengthens your immune system to help your body fight off colds, flu, and other infections.
6. Boost Your Immune System with Diet and Supplements
Your immune system is your body’s natural defense against sickness. You can help boost your immune system during cold and flu season by consuming the right nutrients. Research suggests that vitamin C and zinc may help shorten the duration of colds. Vitamin D3 has also been linked to a healthy immune system. Try to include fruits, vegetables, fatty fish, lean meats, and fortified dairy in your diet to consume more of these and other essential nutrients.
A great way to get the nutrients you need to stay healthy this cold and flu season is to take a multivitamin that contains the essential vitamins and minerals your immune system needs to function at its best. Power Multi has a comprehensive formula that provides your body with vitamin C, vitamin D3, vitamin K2, B vitamins, zinc, potassium, and many other nutrients that work together to keep your body healthy and strong.
