With the constant weather change and the temperatures starting to dip, everyone is more prone to catching the seasonal flu and cold. Symptoms can often take a toll on our wellbeing and disrupt our daily routines, which is why it’s important to take care of your health during this season. Maintaining your overall wellbeing is essential to achieving optimal health, and we're here to provide you with tips to help you with the seasonal change and prevent or recover from the common cold or flu.
Prevent
It’s the time of colds and the flu being passed around, so it’s important to take precautions to avoid catching a cold or flu.
Vitamin C
Studies show that taking vitamin C every day can help shorten the amount of time you are ill and can also make symptoms milder. Although you would get enough vitamin c through eating fruit and veg, you can also take vitamin c supplements to help support your body in preventing colds.
Zinc
Taking zinc orally can help reduce the length of colds when it’s taken within 24 hours after symptoms start. Despite it being effective, you should be careful when taking zinc since some can cause side effects and clash with medicines.
Flu vaccine
To strengthen your immune system and prevent catching the flu, you can get a flu vaccine from the NHS to help you stay safe. They are offered every year in the autumn or early winter, so check if you qualify for one and book it now.
Good hygiene
Good hygiene may be an obvious method to prevent catching a cold or flu, however it is very important in protecting yourself and other people. Ensure to wash your hands with warm water and soap often and also frequently clean surfaces that you touch regularly.
Recover
Here are tips to recover rapidly for when you’re feeling under the weather from the flu or a cold.
Drinks lots of fluid
You must stay hydrated by drinking lots of fluid, including water or herbal tea, to prevent dehydration and to also flush out bacteria.
Get lots of rest
Allow your body to rest by not doing anything too strenuous to your body. Also, make sure you are getting proper sleep between 7 to 9 hours, as recommended by the NHS. This allows your body and brain to rest and replenish for the next day.
Drink honey and lemon
A well known treatment to soothe a sore throat is a hot honey and lemon tea, with a recipe here. Gargling with warm salt water can also ease a sore throat by relieving pain and inflammation in the throat.
Inhale steam
To relieve a blocked nose, inhale steam using deep breaths, either during a hot shower or by placing hot water into a bowl. This helps open sinuses, providing relief and making breathing more comfortable.
Eat balanced meals
It’s especially important to eat proper, balanced meals when you’re sick, since you need energy and nutrients to recover. Drinking warming soups, like chicken soup or making broths can ease your stomach and provide nutritional benefits, such as electrolytes to prevent dehydration and various vitamins and antioxidants. Incorporating garlic into your meals is also good, since it is can fight against infectious viruses, like the flu, and boost the immune system.
If you find that your symptoms worsen and include: difficulty breathing, dehydration, symptoms lasting longer than 10 days without improving, and a fever that lasts more than 4 days, please seek medical care from a medical professional.
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