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7 Amazing Tips for Staying Healthy in Cold and Flu Season

Well, it’s cold and flu season, and that means that you need to be well aware of the steps that you need to take in order to avoid getting sick. After all, no one likes the feeling of waking up feeling worn out without any energy. This year, you can prepare yourself and your family to withstand the seasonal sniffles and stay healthy all year long.

Before we even get into discussing the 7 Amazing Tips for Staying Healthy this Cold and Flu Season, I want to answer some common questions we get about the Common Cold, Flu, and COVID-19. If you are already well informed on these illnesses, feel free to skip to the next section-7 Amazing Tips for Staying Healthy this Cold and Flu Season.

Q&A

1. What is the difference between the Cold and Flu?

Ans. The symptoms for the cold and flu can be similar. In general though, influenza is a much more severe illness. They are caused by two different viruses.

2. What Causes the Cold and Flu?

Ans. There are 100s of different viruses which can cause the common cold, but the most common culprit is Rhinovirus.

Influenza on the other hand has thousands of different virus subtypes due to its rapid rate of mutation. The most common types of flu which can cause symptoms in humans are influenza A and B.

3. What are some of the symptoms of cold or flu?

Ans. In general, symptoms of the common cold tend to be mild. You can expect nasal congestion, runny nose, and a minor cough. Occasionally, you might have a low grade fever. Symptoms of the flu, on the other hand, are more severe. These may include high fever, chills, cough, muscle aches, profound fatigue, and nausea or vomiting.

4. What if I am diagnosed with the cold or flu?

Ans. If you are diagnosed with the common cold, your doctor may recommend increasing your fluid intake and rest. For nasal congestion, I have often recommended nasal lavage for my patients. You could do this using a nasal lavage kit. I have also recommended zinc lozenge tablets (Cold Eeze are my favorite but any zinc lozenge tablet would work). Various Herbal Medicine practitioners recommend Elderberry which is thought to work by inhibiting cold and flu viruses from entering your cells. Studies performed in Israel and Norway seem to support its use if taken early on in the illness (you have had symptoms less than 48 hours). Eucalyptus is another natural remedy which may improve cough and congestion.

If you are diagnosed with the flu, and are early enough in your illness, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic such as Tamiflu (trademark). If you are diagnosed with a co-infection of both the Flu and COVID-19, it is even more important to be started on an ant-flu medication as soon as possible.

5. What is COVID-19 and how can I get it?

Ans. COVID-19 is a member of the Coronavirus family much like SARS and MERS. According to the CDC, the virus can be transmitted from person to person via droplets (Sneezing, coughing) through close contact (being closer than 6 feet), and touching infected surfaces and then rubbing your eyes or nose.

What are some of the symptoms of COVID-19?

Ans. Symptoms of COVID-19 can range from mild runny nose and cough to severe life threatening shortness of breath and chest pain. If you have been diagnosed with or exposed to COVID-19 and develop these severe symptoms call 911.

Now for our feature article! Take a look at the 7 Amazing Tips for Staying Healthy This Cold and Flu Season (down below).

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1. Juice Daily.

Did you know that Vitamin C is a critical nutrient that helps your body build up its defense against viruses like the common cold and the flu? Well, loading up on Vitamin C is a great way to stay healthy this winter. This exciting juicing lemon squeezermakes it easier for you to get your daily dose of vitamin C with fresh fruit. From lemons and limes, to oranges and grapefruit, create your own Vitamin C cocktail.

When shopping for a Lemon Squeezer, we suggest a quality Stainless Steel Squeezerlike this one which is easy to clean, and which can also squeeze limes and oranges (giving you a variety of fruit juices which you can enjoy). They have over 500 five star reviews!

2. Face-Masks Are A Great Idea

One of the best and easiest ways to prevent the cold and flu virus from getting into your system is to wear a facemask whenever you’re out in public. Essentially, face masks filter the air that you breathe, ensuring that cold and flu particles aren’t taken into your system. In addition, they help prevent spreading infection to others.

Check out these Facemasks,

If you are looking for additional protection, N95 masks have a particle filtering efficiency of 95%.

In the end, (whichever type of facemask you decide upon), wearing some protection is far better than wearing none at all.

3. Social Distancing

Simply distancing yourself from social situations is arguably the safest way to avoid catching the cold or flu this winter. All you have to do is ensure that you’re at least 6 feet apart from others, and avoid social gatherings.

This may be the ideal time catch up on your free reading. Consider reading a good self improvement book which will help position you for success once the pandemic is over. James Clear's Atomic Habits, and Don Miguel Ruiz's book The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedomare two books which can aid you in establishing productive habits and conquering limiting beliefs.

4. Stay Hydrated

One cannot overstate just how critically important it is to remain properly hydrated each and every day. Remember, your body burns through fluids with every minute, and this means that if you’re not replenishing what your body has already used, you could put yourself at risk for infection. Not to mention, should you contract the cold or flu virus, hydration will be critical in flushing the virus from your body. Train your body to stay hydrated by drinking up to three of these stainless steel flasks a day.

We suggest trying this sporty Iron Flaskto keep hydrated. If you have difficulty motivating yourself to maintain your fluids, this motivational Giotto water bottle may be perfect for you.

5. Get Regular Exercise

Exercising is key to a healthy body. Not only does it help you strengthen your cardiovascular system, but it also fills your body with endorphins and speeds up your immune system and metabolism. An additional benefit of exercising is it causes your bodily temperature to rise, which can aid in fending off bacteria and infections.

If you are a beginner, we suggest starting off with exercise bands. Once you feel comfortable completing repetitions on a regular basis, and your fitness/endurance have improved, you can consider advancing to free weights or even home gym equipment. Always consult your physician prior to beginning an exercise regimen to confirm that it is appropriate for you.

6. Let Food Be Your Medicine

A well balanced diet can provide vital vitamins and nutrients to your body to enable it to fight off infection. For example, Zinc is found in many meats, and can strengthen your immune system. Iron, found in some green leafy vegetables, can carry oxygen to your body's defenses to aid them in fighting an offender.

If you desire to cook healthy meals, we suggest considering Dorothy Calimeris' book The Complete Anti-Inflammatory Diet for Beginners: A No-Stress Meal Plan with Easy Recipes to Heal the Immune System.

Another book to consider is Giada de Laurentiis book Eat Better, Feel Better: My Recipes for Wellness and Healing, Inside and Out. Your family and friends will thank you!

7. Manage Stress

When we are under stress, our body releases stress hormones such as cortisol, which can impair the effectiveness of our immune response. There are many ways to beat stress such as biofeedback, meditation, prayer, and journaling. Here, I would like to focus on Yoga. Yoga is a unique exercise which encourages the participant to redirect his/her thoughts and to focus on the moment (specifically, focusing on how the Yoga routine is affecting the body). After a good Yoga routine, the participant may feel peace, tranquility, inner harmony, insight. and a space of relaxation. Though the pandemic may be limiting enrollment in Yoga classes, you can always buy yourself a quality Yoga Mat like this one and Yoga video and practice on your own until enrollment resumes. Here is a Yoga mat you might want to check out.

With a few precautions, you can stay healthy this cold and flu season.

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