Follow these winter health tips during cold and flu season

Follow these winter health tips during cold and flu season

Follow these winter health tips during cold and flu season: Cold and flu season is at its peak during the winter when everyone huddles indoors. You need to do everything you can to stay healthy, besides the obvious, like washing your hands often and covering your mouth when you cough.

Keep reading to know our winter health tips for this season.

Get your flu shot

If you haven’t gotten your flu shot yet, it’s not too late. The CDC recommends that everyone over 6 months of age should be vaccinated. The 2019-20 effectiveness rate in preventing seasonal influenza is approximately 45%.

It takes two weeks to build up an immune response to protect you from the virus. It’s the best way to prevent the flu and, if you do catch it, it will shorten the time you’re sick.

Increase your vitamin D intake

Vitamin D is an essential nutrient for strong, healthy bones, calcium absorption and muscle function. It is estimated that more than 50% of Americans are vitamin D deficient. It does not occur naturally in many foods, so processed foods are often fortified with it.

Deficiency symptoms are muscle weakness and pain, fatigue, frequent illness and depression. However, this is often not enough. A doctor can take your blood and tell you if your levels are low. Since vitamin D is “activated” by sunlight, your levels are usually lower during the winter months.

Some foods rich in vitamin D are:

• Mushrooms, such as portabella, white button and crimini
• Milk and orange juice
• Cereals and Oats
• curd
• Fatty fish, such as salmon, trout, herring, tuna, sardines, and cod liver oil
• Tofu
• egg

In addition to these foods, you may need to take a vitamin D supplement. Take it in the morning with food and get at least 20 minutes of sunlight every day.

Vitamin D is just one important nutrient to try and stay healthy this cold and flu season. A healthy, properly nourished body will heal faster.

Exercise indoors

Exercise isn’t just important for your physical health; It also affects your mental health. So, if the cold weather has disrupted your normal exercise routine, it’s time to adopt an indoor regimen.

You can still run or jog outside; Just make sure you wear moisture-wicking clothing and layer up. Protect your hands, feet and face from the bitter wind.

Using a fitness app like FitOn or watching videos on YouTube is a great way to find an indoor exercise routine. If you don’t have equipment, check out bodyweight exercises. Or, try a new exercise like yoga.