Feb 8
8 WAYS TO AVOID GETTING FLU IN WINTER
Winter is the time around which people often get sick. Most people tend to catch a common cold or flu during the wintertime but as easy it is to get infected with the virus, it is even easier to avoid it. A few simple preventive measures can save you and your family from this infection.
1. Get A Flu Shot
The best way to avoid getting flu in the first place is to get a flu shot. Flu vaccination has proven to be extremely beneficial in not only avoiding flu but also decreasing the severity of the disease in individuals who get it after the vaccination.
2. Keep Your Hands Clean
Taking good care of your hygiene can highly reduce the risk of getting flu as well as some other infections. Be sure to wash your hands several times during the day especially before meals as most germs and infectious agents enter your body by way of your food. If you have kids around the house make sure to teach them healthy hygiene practices to keep them safe.
3. Avoid Touching Your Face
What most people don’t realize is that the most filthy part of your body is your fingertips and when you touch your fingers to your nose, mouth, or eyes, the risk of the germs entering your body is substantially increased. So avoid touching your face if your hands are dirty or you haven’t washed them in a long time.
4. Have A Balanced Diet
Eating the right food has a great effect on your general health. During the wintertime, incorporate vegetables and fruits into your diet to increase your immunity against infections. Also, make sure to eat enough protein to maintain a nutritional balance in your body.
5. Take Vitamin C And Vitamin D
Vitamin C is known to shorten the duration and decrease the intensity of the common cold. Doctors suggest taking vitamin C supplements in cold weather prevents people from getting the influenza virus. The effect of vitamin C on the common cold can be understood from this randomized controlled trial.
Vitamin D has also been proven to strengthen your immune system. Research shows vitamin D deficiency leads to a weaker immunity which increases the chances of getting sick. Evidence suggests that vitamin D supplements can decrease the risk of flu in individuals.
6. Sleep Well
Getting a good 8 hours of sleep every night can benefit your body and mind. Having a healthy sleep schedule has a positive impact on your immunity and can reduce the risk of getting flu in the first place.
7. Avoid Contact With Infected Individuals
Try not to come in contact with an already infected individual. If anyone in your family has been infected with the flu virus, isolate them in a separate room for a few days and separate their utensils from those of healthy individuals. Most people who get flu get it from infected people.
8. Stay Physically Active
Make sure to get a good amount of activity or exercise in your day. If you have a sedentary lifestyle, take time out of your schedule to work out and get some fresh air. It is gonna help you avoid a handful of health issues.
In conclusion, by taking these preventive measures you can reduce the risk of getting flu in the first place. Even if you do get infected by the influenza (flu) virus after taking all these measures the severity of the infection will be far less compared to others.
