Winter is the season when colds and flu tend to become prevalent. Not only can having a cold or flu knock you out for a couple of weeks but it also makes you miserable with discomfortable symptoms such as running noses, watery eyes, cough and fever. So it is always to take precautions so that you won’t catch it in the first place.
Here are 5 natural ways that can help you stay healthy through this cold-and-flu season.
1. Stay warm and hydrated
Being cold can depress your immune system and this makes you more likely to catch colds. So keeping warm can actually help you avoid coughs, colds and flu.
Staying hydrated is also important for flu and cold prevention. Not only does water help the kidneys function properly but it also flushes out the toxins accumulated in the body. Especially when you have a cold, dehydration makes the mucus drier, thicker and less able to cope against invading bacteria and viruses. So you are recommended to drink eight glasses of water a day to flush out the infection, keep your body strong and ready to fight off illnesses this winter.
2. Sleep well
Lack of sleep makes your more prone to infection because it can suppress your immune function and make you susceptible to illnesses and diseases. According to a 2009 study, getting less than seven hours sleep in the weeks before being exposed to a cold virus can make you three times more likely to develop a respiratory illness than if you got eight or more hours. Therefore, getting enough shut-eye has the added benefit that it can not only help you avoid the flu, but if you do get it, you can get over it more quickly.
3. Work out
Working out regularly can keep you from getting flu because it boosts your immune function. It can keep you from getting sick by stimulating the immune cells that fight off infections. If you go to the gym to work out, remember to wipe the instruments that you use before touch them. Once you are done, take a shower.
4. Wash your hands
Always keeping your hands clean is one of the most effective and easiest ways to prevent flu. Germs can be transmitted by physical contact and enter the body when infected hands touch your eyes, mouth and nose. So wash your hands as many times as you can and dry them on disposable paper towels after using the restroom, touching the office desk, etc. Plus, try to keep them from your face to prevent germs from getting in the body.
5. Eat a healthy diet
Flu and cold prevention involves eating a healthy diet. That is because it can boost your immune system. You should increase the intake of organic fruits and vegetables that are high in vitamin C such as broccoli, kale, strawberries, etc. Apart from vitamin C, zinc is essential to help fight colds and provide a boost to a flagging immune system. Meat, oysters, eggs, tofu and black- eyed peas are great sources of zinc. Additionally, you can consume foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids like salmon and walnuts to kee p your immune system balanced.
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Foods That You Should Eat While Having Flu
5 Tips To Get Rid Of Dry Cough Quickly
Good Foods For Cold And Flu Preventions
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