{"id":2439,"date":"2020-10-20T18:20:11","date_gmt":"2020-10-21T01:20:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lifestylebyremi.com\/staging\/2326\/?p=2439"},"modified":"2021-07-30T15:39:13","modified_gmt":"2021-07-30T22:39:13","slug":"13-ways-to-avoid-getting-sick-this-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lifestylebyremi.com\/staging\/2326\/13-ways-to-avoid-getting-sick-this-year\/","title":{"rendered":"13 Ways to Avoid Getting Sick This Year"},"content":{"rendered":"

Catching a cold is honestly the worst. There\u2019s nothing like the feeling of being a giant snot ball who can\u2019t stop their runny nose in public. That\u2019s why I do my best to beef up my immune system all year long so I can avoid getting sick. <\/p>\n\n\n

It\u2019s up to us to make smart daily choices that benefit our health so that our bodies are in tip-top shape to fight off illnesses. <\/p>\n\n\n

The little things we do in our daily lives make a huge difference in the long run when it comes to our immune systems and avoiding sickness. <\/p>\n\n\n

There are lots of germs floating around this season. It\u2019s up to us to be conscious of how we interact in our daily lives to prevent the spread of germs and avoid getting sick. <\/p>\n\n\n

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1. Wash your hands and keep them away from your face<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n

Washing your hands often and correctly is a fundamental way to avoid getting sick. <\/p>\n\n\n

To do so correctly, you should be washing for 20 seconds while using warm water and soap. <\/p>\n\n\n

You should also avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth because that\u2019s how germs can enter your body. If you need to touch your face, make sure that you wash your hands properly beforehand. <\/p>\n\n\n

2. Keep hand sanitizer with you <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n

Your hands are touching so many different things throughout the day. <\/p>\n\n\n

Hand sanitizer can be a lifesaver when you\u2019re on the go all day. It\u2019s an incredibly easy way to clean your hands immediately. Especially after you\u2019ve been in high traffic places, like grocery stores, or touching publicly used things like door handles. <\/p>\n\n\n

Double check that your hand sanitizer has at least 60% alcohol content, which is the recommended minimum from the CDC. <\/p>\n\n\n

3. Wear a mask<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n

Wearing a mask in Japan is normal. Japanese people wear masks if they\u2019re sick, don\u2019t want to get sick, don\u2019t feel like putting on makeup – the reasons are endless.  <\/p>\n\n\n

Wearing a mask in the United States before coronavirus hit was not a normal thing to see.<\/p>\n\n\n

But, now that cold and flu season is here, I\u2019m more grateful than ever that people are wearing them to avoid spreading germs. And that it\u2019s normal to wear a mask if you want to avoid getting sick. <\/p>\n\n\n

4. Get Vitamin D<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n

Did you know that one of Vitamin D\u2019s leading roles<\/a> is to keep your immune system strong? If you are prone to illness<\/a>, especially colds, you likely have a Vitamin D deficiency. <\/p>\n\n\n

So, to avoid getting sick this season, try getting some sun, eat Vitamin D rich foods, or take supplements. <\/p>\n\n\n

I encourage you to try a food first approach before reaching for supplements, though. Dietary supplements are no match<\/a> for a well-balanced diet full of nutrient-rich foods. <\/p>\n\n\n

5. Disinfect your phone<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n

Our phones are disgusting. They go with us everywhere and pick up a ton of germs and bacteria along the way. <\/p>\n\n\n

Studies have even shown that our smartphones are likely dirtier than a toilet seat<\/a>. That\u2019s why it\u2019s recommended that you clean your phone as often as possible. <\/p>\n\n\n

During cold and flu season (and especially during COVID times), you want to be mindful of where and how often you touch your phone when you\u2019re out. <\/p>\n\n\n

Try to keep your phone tucked away and make sure to wash your hands (or use hand sanitizer) before touching your phone again. <\/p>\n\n\n

You might also want to consider using headphones, Bluetooth, or speakerphone when taking calls to avoid putting your phone to your face. <\/p>\n\n\n

6. Avoid overworking yourself<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n

Your body\u2019s immune system lowers when you\u2019re run down, overworked, and stressed. <\/p>\n\n\n

You also don\u2019t take as good of care of yourself when you\u2019re always stressed. You don\u2019t stick to good diets, are tired, and less likely to exercise. <\/p>\n\n\n

If you feel stressed or run down, try to slow down by practicing yoga and mediation. Take deep breaths. <\/p>\n\n\n

Or, take a day off to decompress, so the stress doesn\u2019t build up inside you. Listen to your body and what it needs. <\/p>\n\n\n

7. Get good sleep quality<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n

Sleep deprivation or poor-quality sleep compromises your immune system<\/a> and lowers your body\u2019s response to fighting off illness. This means not only are you more likely to get sick, but your recovery time will be longer too!<\/p>\n\n\n

Sleep is a crucial time for your body to recover and remain healthy. A lot happens when you\u2019re sleeping, so you should aim to get 7 to 9 hours a night of sleep. <\/p>\n\n\n

If you\u2019re not currently getting adequate or good quality sleep, take a moment to reassess your nighttime routine<\/a>. Think about what little things you can do to prepare your mind and body for sleep.  <\/p>\n\n\n

8. Maintain a healthy diet <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n

Eat foods that are nutritious and set your body up for success when fighting off illness. <\/p>\n\n\n

Instead of your body continuously having to use energy to break down junk food, give your body foods that work with it, and support healthy function. <\/p>\n\n\n

A good diet and filling your body with proper nutrients will go a long way, especially during cold and flu season, when your body needs to fight off all the germs. <\/p>\n\n\n

9. Exercise regularly<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n

Start incorporating exercise into your routine to reduce stress, get your blood circulating, and boost your immune system. <\/p>\n\n\n

There are so many benefits to working out regularly. A 2019 scientific review in the Journal of Sport and Health Science<\/a> found that exercise can improve your immune response, lower illness risk, and reduce inflammation.<\/p>\n\n\n

Again, being mindful of how you treat your body can go a long way. If you treat it well and support it\u2019s health, then it will be able to better fight off viruses for you. <\/p>\n\n\n

10. Drink lots of water <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n

The human body is made of up to 60% water<\/a>. Water helps carry nutrients where it needs to go in the body and carries waste away. This is why you want to ensure you\u2019re hydrated at all times. <\/p>\n\n\n

Drinking water naturally eliminates toxins and bacteria. So, you want to drink up so that you can keep everything moving!<\/p>\n\n\n

11. Avoid close contact with sick people<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n

Keep your physical distance from people you know are sick to avoid getting sick yourself. <\/p>\n\n\n

If you live with someone who\u2019s sick, you\u2019ll still want to keep your distance as best as possible. Disinfect where they\u2019ve been in the house, wash your hands often, don\u2019t touch your face, etc.  <\/p>\n\n\n

12. Use your own personal items<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n

One way to avoid the spread of germs is to avoid sharing food and use your own personal items (toothbrush, cups, utensils, etc.). <\/p>\n\n\n

It\u2019s smart to be mindful of what items you share during the colder months when you know the cold and flu season is alive and well!<\/p>\n\n\n

13. Get your flu shot<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n

Check with your physician about getting your flu shot. It is recommended that you get a flu shot every year. This year, the CDC recommends getting it as soon as it\u2019s available in October. <\/p>\n\n\n

The flu shot is not always 100% effective, but it reduces the severity of the illness. <\/p>\n\n\n

In conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n

Catching a cold is not fun, and neither is being the reason why someone else gets sick. Please stay home if you are under the weather and be considerate of others, especially this year with the coronavirus. <\/p>\n\n\n

Reminder to see your doctor<\/a> if: <\/p>\n\n\n