Cold-Weather Wellness: Tips for Staying Healthy This Season

The cold weather can bring many contagious illnesses with it, such as the common cold or flu. The changing weather in winters also triggers seasonal allergies.

Getting sick takes a toll on our physical and mental health, so it's vital to develop habits that you can practice during the winter season to stay healthy and function effectively.

Here are some tips to help you weather the cold season.

1. Wash hands frequently

Infections spread easily during the winter season as people are huddled up indoors—moreso during the pandemic. Washing hands regularly helps eliminate germs and prevents them from spreading. The CDC has also recommended washing hands to curb the spread of coronavirus.

To effectively kill illness-causing viruses, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Scrub thoroughly between your fingers and over your palms to ensure no bacteria or infections are left on your skin.

2. Eat Healthy Food

It's vital to provide your body with essential nutrients and minerals that boost the immune system and increase overall health. Include healthy food in your daily diet, such as mushrooms, citrus fruits, leafy greens, beans, whole grain, pre and probiotics, herbs, etc. These contain vitamins that promote cell regeneration and help you recover quicker from illnesses.

An alternative to eating healthy food is taking natural supplements containing vitamins and minerals such as vitamin A, vitamin D, iron, etc., that boost energy and help our body fight infections.