With flu season approaching, and COVID-19 still floating in the air, you must be wondering how you are going to avoid getting sick in the upcoming seasons; it may get difficult to tell the difference between severe illness and a mild sickness during the cooler months. So, is there a way to prevent or minimize your risk of getting sick? I’m glad you asked. Let’s go through some preventative measures you can take to remain healthy.
But First, Your Immune System
An immune system is a fancy tool our bodies use to fight off harmful germs to keep us from getting ill. If it is working correctly, your body is strong enough to fight off germs without you even noticing. When you become sick, it means your immune system is having some trouble fighting off an offensive foreign body. If your immune system struggles to fight off germs, sickness occurs. While there are many illnesses related to a dysfunctional immune system, we are only focusing on basic sicknesses like the common cold and flu- basically, the sniffles and all other fun stuff that comes with the transition in seasons.
In order to prevent sickness, the immune system needs to be fully functioning and working properly to fight off invasive and harmful germs that you will come in contact with at some point. A strong immune system is easy to maintain and we will discuss a few ways to build your immunity in order to increases your chances of preventing getting sick.
Wash Your Hands!
If you haven’t heard this enough, what’s one more friendly reminder? Washing your hands is the simplest and one of the most effective ways to prevent getting sick. A shot of sanitizer is good for temporary cleansing, however, soap and water always work better. Proper handwashing is explained below.
Disinfect Surfaces
If you haven’t already gotten enough practice disinfecting everything you touch with disinfectant wipes, start practicing now. Don’t go nuts trying to wipe every surface and every crevice, just remain conscious of the most common surfaces and objects you come in contact with using your hands and ensure you keep them clean. This includes surfaces such as:
- Door knobs/handles
- Countertops
- Remotes
- Phones
Reduce Stress
Increased stress can weaken the immune system. When the immune system is weak, it becomes vulnerable to illness. Find some time to relax and take time to yourself to decompress and let go of the day’s troubles. Reducing stress also involves getting enough sleep. Your body needs time to rest and recover from a day’s work, so mindfully wind down at a decent hour and rise in the morning refreshed and ready to have a stress-free day.
Supplements
In addition to the very important lifestyle tips previously mentioned, there are a few supplements you can also take to help build immunity and prevent sickness.
- Elderberry
This plant has been used for many years for various ailments like burns, infections, pain, and symptoms of flu-like sickness. It is thought to have antioxidant properties and boost immune response. There are various ways to supplement elderberry– tea, pills, gummies, and syrups. Additionally, elderberry contains other important nutrients like vitamin C, phenols (antioxidants), and fiber.
- Zinc
In two small studies, it was shown that zinc can reduce the incidence of colds, and even in those who were already sick, zinc helped to reduce symptoms. So, it may be beneficial to grab a supply of zinc supplements.
- Echinacea
This plant is widely used and has been thought to provide potential health benefits, antimicrobial and antiviral properties, and prevent symptoms of common sickness.
Antioxidant properties and increasing white blood cells (which fight infection) are credited for these benefits and while scientific evidence isn’t plentiful, it certainly won’t hurt to give it a try.
- Vitamin C
This cool vitamin is probably the most popularly associated with sickness prevention, and rightfully so. Load up on vitamin C to reap benefits such as building healthy tissues, collagen synthesis, and antioxidant properties. There are a few ways to get vitamin C into your system to keep your immunity strong.
- Eat it! Citrus fruit (oranges), potatoes, and tomatoes are good starting points. Vitamin C is also found in foods like kiwi, broccoli, strawberries, red/green peppers, and much more– Fruits and veggies are the most natural and best sources of vitamin C.
- Emergen-C: This convenient little package contains a healthy dose of vitamin C and is good for on the go as it can be easily mixed in water and viola!
- Vitamin C supplements- Vitamin C comes in a variety of forms you can take by mouth (pill, gummy, powder, etc.) and it is very simple to get your daily fix by finding the option that works best for you.
Remember
These suggestions are not just for the cold and flu season when illness is the highest. Because you can get sick at any time of the year these tips can still be useful to stay under the radar and away from the germs all year long.
