Ways you can protect yourself from illness during cold season
11 min read
“If you do have a cold at work, sneeze into a clean tissue and discard it immediately – don’t tuck it up your sleeve or leave it rolled up on your desk, which can spread infection further. If you don’t have a tissue to hand, never sneeze into your bare hand but rather the crease of your arm – the so-called elbow sneeze. It’ll help contain the contagion from spreading, because nobody ever shakes you by the elbow.”
Wash your hands – a lot
Hands, says Professor Oxford, are “perhaps the most fruitful way for winter viruses to spread”. He advises washing them twice as often in winter – particularly if your job involves greeting people throughout the day, or if you work in an office and touch things touched by others, such as door handles, lift buttons, office kettles and so on.
“Wash your hands regularly throughout the day with soap and pretty hot water,” says Professor Oxford. “Never use the cold tap, because germs don’t like hot water.”
Drink warm liquid
A recent study found that drinking any warm liquid – like tea, soup or stew – helps relieve cold and flu symptoms by helping to loosen congestion and stimulate the flow of mucus. Plus, they help keep you hydrated, which can also reduce the risk of picking up a cough or cold.
“Help your digestion by avoiding iced foods and chilled drinks, and stick to sipping warm water throughout the day, . “I also drink a lot of ginger or fennel tea in the winter to curb those winter snacking cravings. And try adding warming and immunity-boosting spices such as ginger, cinnamon, cloves, black pepper and cumin – all of which can be enjoyed all year round, but especially amped up at this time of year in your everyday cooking. Cooked foods are easier on the digestion and go for plenty of greens like cabbage and kale.”
Sleep should be proper
Seasonal changes can impact on our ability to sleep, and studies have shown that populations that undergo dramatic seasonal changes, suffer more from insomnia, tiredness and low mood in winter, than very hot countries with fewer seasonal changes.
Winter sleepiness can also be caused by a decline in levels of energy-boosting vitamin D ).
Research also finds that up to 55 per cent of us suffer from sleep discomfort, such as feeling too cold, in winter, yet only 10 per cent of us change our summer duvets for a higher tog when the seasons change.
As better sleep is linked to stronger immunity against coughs and colds, how can you sleep better in winter?
Clear the air in your lungs
If you don’t fancy throwing open the windows and letting all the warmth out of your home, go for a walk. Outdoors – away from old, damp, central-heated air – sneezers often find that their sniffles stop on the spot. Practice breathing exercise like Pranayama ,it will help to cope up from cold.
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