It’s that time of year again – cold and flu season. Lots of people have already had a battle or two with illness and don’t want to do it again! I’m one of them.
So I’ve been doing research to see what I can do to keep from getting sick. Here are ten common sense steps that apply to both adults and children.
- Drink plenty of fluids – water is best.
- Get enough sleep. If you burn the candle at both ends, you’re going to be more susceptible to illness. And if you get sick, you’re not going to be very productive anyway, so save yourself the trouble and go to bed!
- Eat a healthy diet. Load up on fruits and vegetables, especially. They have a lot of nutrients that help fight off illness.
- Take your vitamins. I know there’s currently controversy over whether vitamins are all that beneficial, but for now, there’s no solid evidence that they aren’t. So let’s keep taking them, at least until spring!
- Sterilize your tooth brush. Dip it in alcohol, let it dry and rinse it out. Germs gone.
- If you start to get a scratchy throat, gargle with salt water immediately. My husband swears by this one.
- Avoid “group food”. Be careful around buffets and foods like chips and dip or other finger foods. You might be careful about not double dipping but you don’t know what the guy before you did.
- Wash your hands often.
- Spend some time outdoors. Get some exercise and fresh air.
- Use a nasal irrigation method (neti pot, for example) to prevent illness. Many people use this method after they’re sick but there’s evidence it can prevent illness as well. It can rinse out dust, pollen, pet dander and other potential allergic triggers. It can moisturize nasal passages thus preserving the cilia or tiny hairs in the nose which trap airborne germs and irritants. It can help open up nasal passages.
Now before you say “duh”, how many of these are you doing? I know I have a lot of room for improvement! But I’d definitely rather follow these ten steps and increase my odds for a healthy winter than go through another sick cycle again.
Washing your hands thoroughly is very high on our list. Especially remember to wash your hands after coming home from shopping, church, etc. These are places you can pick up a lot of germs. Also, we try not to touch the T-zone (eyes, nose, mouth). If you have germs on your hands, the only way they can get into your body is by your putting them there via the eyes, nose and mouth. Don’t cough into your hands. I know we were always taught to do that but the new recommendation is to “throw an elbow”. That way you don’t get the germs on your hands, and you don’t pass them around to other people.
Thanks for sharing this list. I think I will print it out as a reminder.
Thanks for the additional tips. Good information.
I never thought about sterilizing your toothbrush in alcohol. Thanks for that tip. I do use alcohol to sterilize our nail clippers.
Great insight. I never thought about sterilizing toothbrush or nail clippers. Didn’t know about the gargling thing either. Makes sense that the salt watr would kill junk in there. Here is to a healthy winter!!
And I appreciate the article idea.
I really like the neti pot and use it twice a day. A lady at our church says she has not been sick for years due to the constant use of the neti pot.
I have one that looks like a tea pot and it is harder to use. Dr. Oz used one on TV that was long instead of round and I would suggest you try to find one like he used. I do not have that kind but am looking for one if anyone knows who carries them.
If you have sinus or allergy problems I would strongly suggest you try the neti pot.
If I do not use the neti pot before I go to bed I always wake up all stuffed up
You can make your own mix and not have to buy the packets as follows:
1-1/2 cup distilled water, 1/2 tsp pickling salt or sea salt and 1/4 tsp baking soda. DO NOT USE TAP WATER BECAUSE IT BURNS. I put distilled water in measuring cup and microwave for about 30 seconds. I put ingredients in neti pot and mix with spoon. (I just use about a cup because that is what my neti pot holds and I use a tad less of the ingredients.)
Thanks for the info. I don’t have a lot of experience with the Neti Pot but I’ve heard great things about it. I appreciate the extra tips.