Top Tips On Fighting The Winter Flu

That season is upon us, you begin to notice fewer people wandering about the office, the bins are full of used tissues, the adverts for warm paracetamol-based drinks are on TV, and before you can say ‘influenza’, you’re sneezing and spluttering your way to the chemists.

As humans we can travel in outer space, build incredible gravity-defying structures and run 100m in under 10 seconds flat, but we’re still unable to cure the common cold. It may not be completely eradicated yet but here are some hints to give you a little respite from the worst symptoms of a cold this winter:

Keep Warm

Despite the ever-increasing energy prices, we have to keep warm somehow, and this is where comfort takes precedence over style. Hats, scarves, big fur-lined boots and hefty jumpers are what you need to help you stay warm and cosy – don’t let the mild autumn fool you. We can lose up to 30% of our body heat via our heads, so a hat is a must!

Keep Your Hands Clean

It seems simple enough but just ensuring that you wash your hands regularly and drying with paper towels will dramatically lower your chances of contracting germs. Keep a handy pocket-sized bottle of antibacterial gel close by so you can be fighting germs on the move.

Avoid Crowded, Over-Heated Places

Ironically as it’s the holiday season you’ll no doubt be out and about amidst scores of people at busy parties or bustling shopping centres with poor ventilation. Try and avoid this wherever possible and if you use central heating at home, invest in a decent humidifier to help circulate the air better.

Vitamins & Minerals

One-a-day multivitamins are a great way to combat any avenues towards illness during winter, the lack of sunlight results in fewer essential vitamins getting through, as well as causing a dip in your immune system. Zinc, garlic and vitamin C are particularly useful for fighting colds too, also herbal medicines if you’d rather keep purely natural. Of course plenty of fruit and vegetables will aid in a healthy body and mind.

Drink Lots Of Fluids

Your grandma and mother are right, you know! It seems laughably simple, but you must keep your body hydrated. Eight glasses of water a day is what’s recommended by doctors to help fight away bacteria and viruses, even if you’ve already contracted a cold, plenty of drink will actually help to flush it out of your system.

Rest & Sleep

Don’t fight it, if your body is tired you certainly need to sleep it off, trying to stay awake or forcing yourself to work, school or other taxing social situations is not a good idea. While it’s always beneficial to stay active, at some point or another you just have to admit to yourself that you need to put your feet up and relax.

Whatever your methods for fighting a cold this winter, ensure you make the most of your local GP or health insurance plan for advice and/or medication to keep the infections away.

Bill Turner is a quiet-natured guy who loves adventure. He is a family man and entrepreneur. He enjoys summertime beaches and wintertime mountains.

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