How to Stay Healthy During Cold & Flu Season
Winter is a time of year that we associate with many things: holidays, presents, merriment, illness...
Yes, unfortunately, the time of year when we celebrate with friends and family is also when lots of people suddenly get sick. Why is that?
Well, there are two main reasons why the winter season is also called flu season. One, the colder air lowers our body temperature, which makes it harder for our immune systems to do their job.
Two, we find ourselves inside more often than usual during winter, be it for holiday parties or just to escape the cold. Times when lots of people huddle together in one space are times when respiratory illnesses such as colds, flu, and COVID thrive.
Fortunately, there are many ways to fight back and protect yourself from these humbugs. Let's break down some tips to stay healthy during cold and flu season.
Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle
Learning how to stay healthy during cold and flu season starts with taking care of yourself. When things get busy, it can be easy to overlook common-sense healthy habits, but every little bit counts. Here are some self-care goals to strive for:
Practice Good Hygiene
This is where it all starts. The best way to avoid getting sick is to avoid germs! This means washing your hands with soap and warm water, showering daily, and eating healthy foods to boost your immune system. Kill those germs before they have any lasting impact.
Stay Hydrated
Every part of the human body needs water, and your immune system is no exception. Drinking lots of water or other fluids gives your body the... ahem... juice... it needs to fight off illness and recover as quickly as possible. This is especially important during the winter months, since the air can be a lot drier than normal.
Ensure Adequate Rest
Your body is a busy place, especially when you're awake. Sleeping allows it to restore the energy you spend during the day, especially when you're ill. It's also easier for your body to focus on some systems when others aren't being used. Adults should aim for 7-9 hours of sleep every night. However, as any parent can attest to, children burn more energy, so they should get 9-12 hours.
Manage Stress Effectively
Nobody likes being stressed, but it can also have adverse effects on your health. It deprives your body of white blood cells that are your first line of defense against illness. Plus, we don't make good decisions about our health while under stress. This is just one of many reasons why managing stress is key to a better life.
Keep Your Environment Clean
If you have a building to manage, there are lots of things you can do to maintain good Indoor Air Quality (IAQ). One option is making use of Attune's real-time monitoring systems. This allows you to make sure the ventilation, humidity, and temperature are at optimal levels in all corners of your space. Understanding healthy air certifications can also help you implement healthy policies that benefit everyone.
However, there are also things that everyone can do to build a healthy environment, both at work and at home. Here are some more ways to stay healthy during cold and flu season:
Use Disinfectants on High-Touch Surfaces
Germs can stick around for hours or even days on surfaces. If that surface is used by a lot of people, that's a problem. The solution is to clean those surfaces regularly with the disinfectant of your choice. Be especially vigilant in cleaning furniture, doorknobs, and electronics, for starters.
Prepare Essential Supplies for Illness
If you do get sick, the goal is to recover as fast as possible. Always keep cold and flu medicine somewhere accessible, but out of reach of children. If you live with others or have to be near people for some other reason, then disposable face masks are also worth keeping around. Make sure to stock up on tissues as well; it's easy to run low without realizing it!
Monitor Your Health Progress
No matter how much we do to stay healthy, sometimes things just happen. That's why healthy hygiene isn't just about prevention, but awareness. Here are some examples:
Limit Close Contact with Sick Individuals
If you know that someone is sick, it's best to avoid contact with them until they recover. If you live with that person, or are responsible for taking care of them, you should still keep contact to a minimum. Wear a face mask while in close quarters with them to reduce the chance of transmission.
Seek Medical Attention When Needed
Flu symptoms include body aches, coughing, stuffy or runny nose, and fever. If you start to experience any of these, it's best to stay home until you can visit your health care provider. Keep those germs in your home where they can't infect anyone else.
Importance of Self-Care
While working together to keep a clean environment is important, it all starts with taking care of ourselves. You can't control what others do, but you can live the healthiest life possible.
Exercise, rest, and healthy eating are all things your body will thank you for. Vitamins C and D are believed to be particularly helpful for preventing illness. Also, be sure to get the yearly flu vaccine if and when it becomes available to you.
Maintain A Healthy Winter with Quality Air
Staying healthy during cold and flu season means taking care of yourself and your environment; you want a healthy body and a healthy building. While it may seem challenging, it's never been easier.
Attune your ally in IAQ management. It's easy to integrate it with your existing infrastructure, allowing you to get air quality updates in real time. It's not just air, though: You can track everything in your building, from energy consumption to water usage. Simply put, Attune is the future of building management.
Flu season never waits, so why should you? Schedule a demo with attune today and make sure your winter is a merry one!
