Winter is Coming – Use these Steps to Stay Healthy!
With everything that’s been going on the past year, it’s never been more important to stay healthy and look after yourself. Winter is on its way, and it’s time to batten down the hatches and get ready for the cold temperatures around the corner! Even though getting sick is a part of life, and sometimes you can’t help it no matter how much you try, there are a few things you can do to ensure the chances stay low. Or, if you do get sick, you’ll be able to fight it within a few days! That said, here are some tips on how to stay healthy during the winter.
Take your vitamins
Keep your vitamin levels up by taking them every day. This will help prevent you from getting sick and also keep your immune system strong to fight off any winter sniffles! It’s essential, too, that you take vitamins that have been manufactured in a GMP facility (Good Manufacturing Practices) because these are the only ones considered safe for consumption. Your body needs nutrients such as Vitamin A, C, zinc, or magnesium to stay healthy during the cold months of winter, and if anything is lacking, it could lead to illness. Especially since most people don’t get enough sun exposure during this time of year due to the lack of hours spent outdoors, be sure not to skip out on those essential supplements! Instead, you might want to try a multivitamin supplement made for the winter months.
And be sure not to take your vitamins with dairy products, as they inhibit absorption! Dairy is also full of lactose sugars which feed bacteria that cause gas or bloating in adults. If you already have problems digesting milk products, try taking calcium supplements instead – they’re just as effective at preventing bone loss but don’t cause any stomach discomfort as other types do. (Just make sure you get enough Vitamin D when you do!) And if you’re vegan, then there’s no need to worry either! You can find vegan multivitamins made with only plant-based sources.
And lastly – don’t forget your prebiotics or probiotics. Probiotic bacteria are beneficial microorganisms that help maintain a healthy digestive system by fighting off harmful bacteria like Salmonella and E Coli, reducing the risk of diarrhea during winter months when we’re more prone to getting sick from contaminated food or water.
Get the flu shot
The flu is a common ailment during the winter months, and it’s important to take steps against its spread. This year, in particular, everyone is being urged by doctors to get vaccinated because of a rise in activity for early-season influenza cases around the country. The CDC reports that more than 40% of Americans will catch this nasty bug each year on average – so be sure not to let yourself become one of those statistics!
Keep yourself warm
We all know that staying warm is essential to avoid getting sick. Wear layers of clothing, get blankets and jackets for your bed at night so you don’t catch a chill while sleeping – there are many ways to keep yourself comfortable without sacrificing heat in the process! Just be sure not to leave the heating on for too long and risk overheating. It’s best just to turn those heating systems on as soon as they’re needed (typically between November and March) instead of keeping them on all day.
What do you do if you get sick?
If you do happen to fall ill with a virus, then make sure you eat plenty of protein and carbohydrates as your body recovers; try chicken soup or miso broth which are both high enough in calories but low enough in fat content that they won’t aggravate your stomach. If you find yourself with a cold or the flu during the winter months, then some steps can help alleviate symptoms. First, drink plenty of fluids and get enough rest so your body has time to heal itself.
Second, get in touch with your local doctor for some prescribed medication to help your body fight the bug and get back on your feet as soon as possible! These days, you can even utilize online doctor assessments and not even have to go out of the house! Lastly, avoid dairy products as they will slow down recovery, which is why it’s important not to drink milk since all it does is aggravate stomach problems! If possible, try eating small meals throughout the day instead – this helps keep blood flow going in regular intervals and prevents heartburn caused by gulping large amounts of food at once.
By utilizing the above tips, you’ll be healthy all winter long and have everything you need to enjoy those snowy months without getting sick!