In collaboration with Ultra Chloroseptic¦ When autumn and winter arrive, dread kicks in at the thought of all the impending colds our family will catch. When it comes to colds and flu, it’s a good idea to have a two-pronged strategy in mind. Obviously, it’s best to avoid cold and flu germs if you can. However, if you do get ill you need a plan of attack to make yourself feel better as soon as possible. Let’s take a look at how to prevent colds and treat them if prevention doesn’t work.
How to keep cold and flu germs at bay
1. Wash your hands
It’s all too easy to touch surfaces where sneeze or cough droplets have landed. Before you know it, you have a cold!
Make sure you regularly wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds, especially before you eat. Kids are terrible for spreading germs like this, so make sure they’re regularly washing their hands too!
2. Avoid touching your face
We touch our faces so much more than we realise. Rubbing your eyes or biting your nails is a great way to get germs into your body.
3. Keep things clean
It probably goes without saying, but all kinds of germs get on surfaces that you touch. Disinfect tables, worktops and door handles regularly.
4. Catch some Zs
Sleep contributes to a strong and healthy immune system, so make sure you and your children are getting enough sleep!
5. Don’t stress it
Stress wreaks havoc on immune systems, so try to keep stress to a minimum. (Easier said than done, I know!) Relax as often as you can, doing activities you enjoy such as baking or taking a long bubble bath.
6. Eat well
A varied and nutritious diet is key to a strong immune system, so keep up a balanced diet with lots of different coloured fruits and vegetables.
7. Exercise
Exercise also helps to strengthen your immune system. So while it’s tempting to just curl up on the sofa during the winter months, it may work in your favour to go out and hit the gym as you could catch less colds.
What to do when you get a cold
So prevention didn’t work? It happens. I still recall a few years ago when my then-toddler daughter sneezed in my eyeball and I promptly caught her cold the next day. There was no way I could have avoided that!
Here’s how to make yourself feel better:
1. Keep hydrated
When you’re all bunged up and have a sore throat, you don’t always feel like drinking. However it’s important to help your body fight the germs. A warm honey and lemon can do wonders.
2. Use a chloroseptic throat spray
One of the first signs of a cold is often a sore throat. An anaesthetic sore throat spray numbs the pain in your throat only and gives you relief to speak and eat without the pain.
3. Keep the nutrition up
You’ll need lots of vitamins to help your body fight the cold. Chicken soup being good for you when you’re ill isn’t a myth! It’s also good to get lots of vitamin C from foods like citrus fruits.
4. Use a saline spray
It’s horrible having a blocked up nose. Saline sprays are a natural way to help clear your airways – at least for a while!
5. Take painkillers
Does your body ache? It’s because your immune system is working hard to fight being ill! Taking painkillers can help this horrible symptom to either go away or feel a lot better.
6. Use a humidifier
Using a humidifier in a dry room can help with nasal congestion. Just make sure it has been cleaned properly according to instructions, as any bacteria or mould in there will make coughs worse.
7. Rest
One of the most important things is to make sure you rest and let your body fight it’s way to feeling well.
Get well soon!
Cover photo by David Mao on Unsplash