Whether it’s a cold, the flu, COVID-19 (more commonly known as the coronavirus), or another illness, no one really wants to end up feeling miserable. However, viruses and bacteria are tiny things and not always easy to avoid.
That means actually skipping out on cold and flu season can take some extra preparation and caution. Here are thirty ways to decrease your chances of getting sick:
Taking your shoes off when entering your home can reduce the amounts of dirt, bacteria, parasites, and who knows what else that can be tracked in on even clean-looking soles. Ditch the shoes before walking into the house.
#2 Clean doorknobs and other often-touched also but often-forgotten areas
Wipe down doorknobs door frames, railings, and other areas that people in the house touch frequently. Don’t forget the door to the fridge!
#3 Wipe down and disinfect the house once you’re feeling better
If you do get sick, you might assume you’re immune to your own germs, after all, they now belong to you. However, with some illnesses, reinfection is possible. Once you have the energy to move again, invest some in getting everything gleamingly clean and sanitized.
Keeping your heart and lungs in tip-top shape helps with your ability to absorb oxygen. It will decrease your risk of getting ill. If you do catch something, your body’s ability to obtain and process enough oxygen is a major factor when it comes to preventing damage to organs during an illness. This means you’ll be feeling better sooner.
#5 Eliminate or reduce processed sugar in your diet
The healthier you are, the more likely you will be to fight off an illness. Even if you do still catch something, being healthy increases your chance of recovering more quickly and without complications.
When you are worn down, it becomes more difficult to fight infections. Turn off whatever you are watching, put the phone on silent, and get some extra rest.
While it’s probably easier said than done, reducing stress also helps your health. And the healthier you are, the stronger your immune system will be when it comes to deflecting illnesses. Just take a breath, acknowledge that life is sometimes far from perfect, and take some time to relax.
While the flu shot isn’t always as effective as we would like it to be, it does reduce your risk of catching certain strains of influenza. It even makes sense when it comes to illnesses that aren’t the flu because you’re reducing your risk of a double whammy – being sick with the flu and another illness at the same time (and yes, that can happen).
Viruses and bacteria can live on surfaces, including clothes, for quite a while in some cases. However, bacteria often die down when dried out completely, and many viruses will die in the level of heat attained by a clothes dryer.
Kelly Reynolds, a germ researcher, recommends drying clothes for at least 28 minutes on high.
Mobile phones, laptops, and even remote controls are all things we touch often but probably don’t clean enough in many cases. Get out the antibacterial wipes and get to work.
Air conditioners and heating systems are notorious for breeding mold and a host of other things. Clean the filters regularly. It will keep you healthier and breathing easier.
#12 Don’t forget the steering wheel
Be honest. How many doors and random things have you touched before you touched that steering wheel? It’s a good idea to wipe it down regularly.
#13 Change clothes when you get home
Cloth is great. It’s warm, it’s soft, and it’s absorbent. Unfortunately, that last part can be a problem sometimes. Viruses, bacteria, and general environmental contaminants can cling to clothes. If you wear the same clothes inside as you do outside, you’ll be transferring those to your living space.
Change into something more comfortable when you get home. It will help with stress levels (remember #7) and keep your house nearly germ-free.
#14 Invest in sanitizing wipes
If you use shared items such as pens, a desk, or a vehicle at work, you’ll have an easy way to wipe them down before it’s your turn to use them.
Vitamin D, C, and zinc are especially useful for helping to fight off illnesses. However, a good multivitamin will help you cover all of your bases.
#16 Don’t touch your face
According to
researchers, the average person touches their face more than three times per hour. Over the course of a day, that adds up. It also increases your chances of transferring a cold or flu virus to your mouth, nose, or eyes, where it is more likely to enter your body successfully.
Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) can be found in green tea. It’s also known for damaging flu particles. That means a reduced risk of getting the flu.
The cilia in your nose help to keep viruses at bay, but they work less effectively when they are cold. So keep yourself, or at least your nose, warm this winter.
Pathogens that can be found on produce cannot normally survive boiling hot temperatures. Throw them in a pot for a few minutes to reduce your chances of illness.
#20 Wash salad ingredients thoroughly
Are there some vegetables that you just need to eat raw? Invest in some vegetable wash or DIY your own with a combination of water, vinegar, and salt.
Drinking can increase inflammation and induce a fever. Neither are great if you want to stay in tip-top shape.
If the air at home or work gets too dry, it can dry out your nasal cavities. When they’re dry, they cease some of their antimicrobial duties, meaning you are more likely to get sick.
Ginger can kill rhinoviruses, meaning that it may stop you from catching a cold. It also tastes really good in both sweet and savory recipes.
Xylitol, an ingredient in some brands of gum, can inhibit the growth of Streptococcus pneumoniae and possibly prevent it from lingering in your system long enough to take root.
Smoking can increase your risk of catching the flu by up to as much as
five times. Put down the cigarette, and you might be able to go flu-free this year.
#26 Skip the second hand smoke too
Inhaling even small amounts of smoke can reduce the effectiveness of the cilia in your nose. Keep them free to do their job instead.
Even if it’s with a family member, sharing utensils increases the amount of the virus entering your system. The higher that number is, the more likely it will be that the virus will win instead of your immune system.
Wear a mask intended to protect you from small particles. It will reduce your risk of catching something as well as the chance of you passing on any viruses to others.
Cold toes can actually lead to a cold. They reduce your blood flow which results in less white blood cells to fight off an infection.
#30 Gargle with salt water
Gargling with
salt water can reduce your risk of developing a viral infection by more than thirty percent. Add a teaspoon of salt to a cup of warm water. Just don’t swallow it!
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Whether it’s a cold, the flu, COVID-19 (more commonly known as the coronavirus), or another illness, no one really wants to end up feeling miserable. However, viruses and bacteria are tiny things and not always easy to avoid.
That means actually skipping out on cold and flu season can take some extra preparation and caution. Here are thirty ways to decrease your chances of getting sick:
