With the winter months bringing cold and flu season in full force, protecting your health and practicing good hygiene is essential to keep yourself and those around you free from germs.
Boardman Training Center offers suggestions for staying healthy during cold and flu season. Keep reading for our ten top tips for preventing and managing illness!
Wash Your Hands
One of the most straightforward ways to prevent the spread of illness-causing germs is to wash your hands well and frequently. According to the Mayo Clinic, the proper hand-washing technique is to scrub thoroughly for at least 20 seconds with soap and water.
It is recommended that you wash your hands before preparing food, touching a wound, inserting contact lenses, and after using the restroom, changing a child’s diaper, touching an animal, handling garbage, touching high-traffic or public areas, blowing your nose, or when they are visibly dirty.
Take Vitamins
It is a common misconception that cold weather causes illness, but this is incorrect. Instead, the cold weakens an individual’s immune system, making them more susceptible to catching a virus. Supplementing the vitamins and minerals the immune system may lack during the winter is crucial.
Some beneficial vitamins to strengthen immunity during the winter include Vitamin C, Vitamin D, B Vitamins, Iron, Zinc, and Omega 3. You should always consult a doctor or do your own research before starting a new supplement to determine your individual needs.
Sanitize Frequently
Another effect of the colder temperatures is that many people choose to stay indoors, which increases the chances of contact with a potentially sick person. It is essential to disinfect high-traffic areas such as bathrooms, door knobs, shopping carts, remotes, light switches, and other places that are touched often.
Using a disinfectant cleaner at least once daily on these surfaces can reduce the spread of illness. Remember to read and follow the specific directions on your cleaner to ensure the product is most effective at stopping germs.
Get The Flu Shot
While the flu vaccine is a somewhat controversial subject, there is evidence that it reduces the number of annual medical visits, hospitalizations, and deaths related to influenza. Getting the flu shot helps you avoid getting sick while increasing herd immunity to protect others more susceptible to the virus.
The flu vaccine is generally easily accessible and offered at local pharmacies and doctor’s offices. To find a location where you can get the flu vaccine near you, type your zip code into this online vaccine finder tool.
Stay Home If Feeling Ill
If you are feeling under the weather, you should stay home to prevent spreading any contagious illness you may have. If you can’t avoid going into public, wear a medical-grade face mask and keep your trip short. The cold and flu are typically most contagious within the first three days of infection and are easily spread by air.
Get Enough Sleep
According to the Mayo Clinic, individuals who do not get the recommended amount of sleep, typically seven to eight hours per night, are more likely to catch a virus. Sleep also impacts how long it takes to recover from illness; most adults require more rest to help their bodies fight the infection. Listen to your body; if you feel you need more rest, you should oblige!
Stock Up On Sick Day Essentials
It can be beneficial to buy things you might need when you are sick to avoid going to a store if you start to feel ill. Stocking up on things like over-the-counter medication, cough drops, tissues, hydration drinks, soup, or anything else that might make you feel more comfortable during cold and flu season is a smart idea.
Preparing for an illness is as simple as a shelf in a cabinet or as complex as stocking your pantry. Several online resources have guides for what to have on hand in case you come down with a virus.
Cover Your Cough And Sneeze
Another basic hygiene tip to prevent the spread of illness is to cover your mouth when sneezing or coughing. Using a disposable tissue is the best way to protect those around you, but if unavailable, using the crook of your elbow also reduces the spread of harmful germs.
Always remember to wash your hands or use an alcohol sanitizer after coughing, sneezing, or handling used tissues.
Exercise Often
The cold weather can be a deterrent for many people, but winter is an excellent time to exercise. Not only does working out in colder weather boost the immune system, but it also causes the body to burn more calories to stay warm, leading to improved cardiovascular health and increased fat-burning.
Light exercise while recovering from illness can help the body create antibodies that aid recovery and prevent future sickness.
Get Fresh Air and Sunlight
Similarly to getting exercise, fresh air and sunlight also positively affect the body, as they have been said to help boost the immune system. Spending time outdoors also improves mood-related challenges, such as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which is caused by reduced daytime during winter.
Boardman Training Center Is Here For You!
Do you dream of sharing your healthcare knowledge with those feeling under the weather or helping those with illnesses recover? With training from Boardman Training Center, you can make this dream a reality!
BTC is here to help you recognize your potential with accelerated phlebotomy, EKG, medical assisting, and medical billing and coding training. With the help of BTC, you could be on the frontlines of prevention, helping keep your patients healthy in a matter of weeks!
Get started today toward the healthcare career of your dreams by requesting information.