Winter will be here before we know it, along with it colder temperatures, and that means another cold and flu season is upon us. But that doesn’t mean that you have to surrender to your family getting sick. There are steps you can take to help ward off illness and prevent your busy lives from getting derailed by a cold or influenza (aka the flu).
Just like in sports, sometimes the best offense for getting through cold and flu season is defense. Here are some of the best defensive moves you can make:
- Get plenty of rest. One of the best things you can do to boost your family’s immune systems is making a good night’s sleep a priority. The National Sleep Foundation’s daily sleep recommendations for school-age children and teenagers are between 8-12 hours, and it’s between for 10-14 for toddlers and preschoolers.
- Fuel up properly. Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables is always important for staying healthy, of course, but it is especially critical during cold and flu season. It helps build up the immune system with necessary vitamins and nutrients. Hydration also is important to ensure that your body is functioning properly and able to fight off germs, so make sure you and your family are drinking water throughout the day.
- Wash hands. Both colds and the flu are caused by viruses which are highly contagious and can be transferred from surfaces or other people onto your hands and then into your body. One of the best ways to avoid getting sick and spreading germs is by thoroughly washing your hands with plain soap and running water several times throughout the day. Make it a habit with your kids, and try to make it fun. Have them sing “Happy Birthday” twice as they wash their hands to ensure that they are washing long enough. If you’re not near a sink, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol.
READ MORE AT: https://www.freep.com/story/sponsor-story/henry-ford-health-system/2017/11/21/surviving-cold-flu-season-like-champ/875265001/