Nobody wants to be ill over the festive season. Thankfully, there are lots of things you can do to reduce your chances of catching common winter viruses, such as colds and flus. Here are our top tips to help you avoid catching winter bugs.
Get the right nutrients
One way of reducing your likelihood of catching a winter bug is making sure you eat all the right nutrients. Eating at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day is vital for good health and will help to boost your immune system. Fruit and vegetables contain anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties and therefore help your boy to fight off infections more efficiently.
Garlic and onions are particularly effective against warding off colds as they are both known for their antiviral properties. Luckily, garlic comes in supplement form, so you can get your daily dose without worrying about bad breath.
Probiotics are also good for you and are thought to help boost your immune system, so will help you fight winter bugs. Nestle BOOST Optimum is a tasty supplement that contains probiotics and prebiotics such as Lactobacillus paracasei and Prebio, as well as vitamins and minerals to give you that added immunity boost this winter.
Sleep
You need sleep to recharge your body’s batteries and help you recover for the previous day’s stresses and activities. It should therefore come as no surprise that a lack of sleep will leave you feeling rundown and more prone to catching bugs.
When you’re feeling tired and rundown, your body is less effective at fighting off infections. It’s therefore essential that you get enough good quality sleep if you want to stay as healthy as possible in the winter months.
Wash your hands properly
If there’s one thing that we all learned from the covid pandemic, it’s the importance of regularly washing your hands to help reduce the spread of illness. Washing your hands thoroughly and regularly is vital if you want to avoid getting sick.
Surfaces in public areas, such as door knobs and hand rails, can harbour all kinds of germs and bacteria, so always wash your hands carefully with soap and warm water after touching them. Also don’t forget to wash your hands after using the toilet, as well as after coughing and sneezing. Always carry antibacterial gel on your person just in case you don’t have access to a wash hand basin.
Protect yourself and others
Try to avoid touching your face when you’re out and about because germs, such as the cold virus, can enter your body through your mouth, nose, and eyes. You might also consider wearing a face mask if attending public spaces with poor ventilation. Not only will this help protect you from catching bugs, it’ll prevent you from spreading germs to others, especially if you’re carrying something and are asymptomatic.
One of the best ways to avoid getting ill with common winter viruses like the flu is to get vaccinated against it. You should also make sure you receive your covid booster to avoid catching, and spreading, coronavirus.
Conclusion
By eating the right nutrients, ensuring you get enough sleep, washing your hands, and taking measures to protect yourself, you’ll be less likely to catch winter bugs.