With winter fast approaching, it’s time to up your health game and stop those pesky germs in their tracks. While everybody gets sick from time to time, certain illnesses can wreak havoc on your life, causing you to have to take time out of work and cancel important plans. Getting sick can also impact your medical insurance, and prescription costs will add to your household expenses. In other words, many common ailments are harmless in the long-term, but it’s best to avoid them if you can. Staying well during flu season is not so difficult if you follow the basic recommendations.
So get your medicine cabinet stocked up, check your first aid kit and invest in a good hand sanitizer, as flu season is just around the corner. Here are a few ways you can keep your family healthy this winter.
Children
It’s a fact of life that children are more likely to get sick than adults because their bodies are still building immunity. Add daycare or school into the equation and the chances of your kids bringing germs into the home increase. Help kids to stay healthy by ensuring they get enough sleep (around 10-13 hours a night, depending on their age), telling them to wash their hands for twenty seconds before eating, and encouraging them to stick to a healthy diet.
Whenever possible, keep your child away from other people who are sick. It isn’t always easy, but keeping in touch with relatives and friends about potential illnesses (and keeping a wide berth when they are infectious) is the easiest way to avoid your child getting sick. Keep in mind that no matter how vigilant you are, you can’t prevent infection completely. However, basic hygiene and common sense can go a long way when it comes to staying healthy.
Adults
Public spaces like trains, doctor’s clinics and office spaces are rife with germs at this time of year, and there’s no way of avoiding them completely. During the winter months, you’re bound to pick up the old cold, but winter flu could knock you out for weeks, so steer clear of anyone who displays flu symptoms.
When it comes to everyday germ avoidance, it’s best to carry hand sanitizer in your handbag and wash your hands whenever possible. It’s also advisable to look after your teeth and gums, as these are common gateways for infection.
Pets
When it comes to health, pets aren’t that different to us human beings. Dogs, for example, require a healthy diet and regular exercise to stay in peak health, as well as hydration and adequate sleep. If you’re worried your pet isn’t getting the right nutrients, Vetiq has some great advice about the best supplements and vitamins for healthy dogs.
Ensure your pets are properly immunized, and schedule regular checkups at the vets. You also need to make sure you don’t overfeed your animal, as obesity can lead to serious health problems. Lastly, make sure your home is safe, and that all pesticides, electrical wires and potentially poisonous plants are out of reach to prevent your pet from getting injured.
