Whether we want to admit it or not, the flu season is here. That means you’re going to be exposed to a lot more potentially harmful germs and viruses than normal (sorry germaphobes!). If you don’t take extra precautions this winter, you could end up being one of the thousands of Canadians who miss work due to sickness.

The name of the game for staying healthy is prevention. Once you start feeling sick, it’s already too late - you need to take all the counter-measures necessary to make sure your body isn’t just a temple, but a germ fortress. Consider our 4 tips below for staying healthy this winter!

1. Get vaccinated

According to Nova Scotia’s Communicable Disease Prevention and Control (CDPC) “Every year, about 20,000 Canadians are hospitalized and 4000 die from complications of influenza”. Being vaccinated will significantly increase your immunity to the flu and reduce your chances of becoming hospitalized.

The viruses that cause the flu change every year, so make sure you keep up with the new strains by getting vaccinated every fall. For more information on vaccines, visit Nova Scotia’s CCDP website here.

2. Wash your hands

Although Global Handwashing Day already happened this year, washing your hands with soap is something you should be doing daily, especially during flu season. Regular hand washing not only reduces the spreading of the flu, but also your risk of experiencing pneumonia and diarrhea.

If you’re on the move a lot, a pocket hand sanitizer is a fantastic option for keeping your hands germ-free!

3. Sleep!

A regular and healthy amount of sleep is very important for your immune system. When you’re sleeping, your body is working overtime to repair damaged cells and store energy for the coming day. If your body doesn’t get enough sleep, the immune system won’t be at 100% to fight off any germ intruders.

If you’re having trouble getting to bed, check out our blog post on ways to achieve a better night’s sleep!

4. Vitamin D

Since we live in the great white north, Canadians don’t always get enough daily sunlight. The Vitamin D our bodies absorb from the sun is vital for our immune system. In her report Vitamin D and the Immune System, Cynthia Aranow states that “in the context of vitamin D deficiency, there appears to be an increased susceptibility to infection”. Be sure to supplement your diet with lots of Vitamin D, either with multivitamins or foods such as salmon and cheese.

If you have any tips for staying healthy this season, let us know on our Facebook or Twitter!

Source Url: http://gobelmont.ca/staying-healthy-this-winter/