Winter is upon us, so is the holiday season, but with these come something else the height of cold and flu season. For most of us, we don’t have the time to be sick or deal with a sick loved one. Not to worry though, because with cold and flu season come some proven ways in which to fight back. Maybe there is no sure-fire way at the moment but these methods used especially in conjunction with each other could be a great way to stay healthy during winter a time when a large percentage of individuals are getting sick.

Get Immunized

This is the first line of defense against influenza to get the annual flu shot. There could be those saying, I don’t have any health insurance or can’t afford to get one or for my kids to get one turns out this is no longer an excuse. Many pharmacies out there in Supermarkets and Drug Stores offer this vaccine to individuals free of charge. Yes, there is no guarantee the vaccine will stop influenza completely but according to the Center for Disease Control, it is a good way to make the virus not be as serious as it could have been without having it done. Remember, Influenza has not only made individuals sick and has killed as well.

Take Health Supplements

There are some natural supplements and minerals that can help ward off colds or flu. Some of these are Zinc, vitamin C, and echinacea. There are even products you have no doubt heard that combine these types of minerals, the question is how do we know which one to trust. Well, a good piece of advice is to do research to see what previous customers have said about the product and whether the reviews are favorable. For example, look up the all-natural product Le-Vel Thrive, yes not a design for cold and flu, but Le-Vel Thrive Reviews are very favorable and show the types of overall reviews you’d want to see in these types of products. When the right one is found it can indeed help the immune system during winter.

Disinfect Objects and Surfaces

We don’t stop to consider all the germs and bacteria lurking on surfaces around us. Commonly used surfaces such as countertops, light switches, doorknobs, bathroom vanities, and even computer keyboards all carry germs. So, a good plan is to have antibacterial disinfecting wipes always on hand to wipe down these surfaces periodically. Another thing that would need to be wiped off is commonly used objects such as the telephone and TV remote control. Keeping all of these disinfected no matter what time of year is a good way to defend against getting sick.

Keep Hands Clean

Here’s a question, what is the way that most illness-causing germs are transmitted? Some of us may say through the air, but the actual answer is through the hands. This is the main reason why it is important to keep surfaces disinfected. But it is another reason to always wash our hands well during this time of year. Another tip is to carry around alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Good hygiene can be a good line of defense to stay healthy in winter.

Eat More Fiber

Growing up whenever I got sick the first thing my dad used to ask me was how is your bowl track? It may seem like a silly thing to ask, but he had a very valid point. Most illnesses start in the digestive tract and usually one of the first signs of getting sick is constipation. So, eating more fiber or even using a fiber supplement to help you stay regular could actually help to clean out the body from unwanted toxins.

These are just a few suggestions about how to stay healthy this winter. Some other things to keep in mind get plenty of sleep and exercise. The bottom line is there may not be a cure for the common cold but living a healthier lifestyle is always the line of defense against getting sick.