At this time of year, it’s likely that you’ve been all too aware of how the weather affects your wellness. However, whether you’ve got a crippling cough or you’re fighting off a flu bug, the good news is that it’s never too late to strengthen your wellbeing against winter illness, but how do you do it?
Firstly, let’s establish the difference between a cold and the flu. You might hear someone complain about having the flu, when really they have a common cold, and there’s actually a huge difference between the two. Though no one likes having a cold, and it can make you feel awful, in reality the only health concern it brings is that it slows you down a little bit. Flu, on the other hand, can leave you feeling fatigued for months on end, even after the other symptoms are gone.
So what about these symptoms then? With colds, you generally experience sneezing, a sore throat, a cough and a runny or blocked and stuffy nose. These symptoms can be severe, which is why you may be forgiven for thinking you have the flu, but in reality it’s still often possible, with a little more effort, to get on with your everyday activities. When it comes to the flu, symptoms include fevers, headaches, sweating, shivering, exhaustion, no appetite, aching and painful muscles, and, lest we forget, a harsh, dry cough. Flu symptoms are quick to develop, and can knock you down in a matter of hours.
Now you know the difference, how to you prevent either of them from affecting you? The particles of both illnesses are spread from person to person, and enter your body through your eyes, nose or mouth. This means that you need to avoid people with the viruses, wash your hands regularly throughout the day, and avoid touching your face after touching surfaces. Remember; prevention is always better than cure.
Other than that, a yearly flu vaccine is always recommendable and you should make sure you strengthen your immune system against stress. This means getting plenty of sleep, rest and relaxation. You can also boost your immune system by quitting smoking, and getting plenty of exercise and a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. Finally, certain supplements can shorten the duration and severity of colds and flu when taken at the first sign of symptoms, so stock up on echinacea, pelargonium, and zinc, and boost your immune system year-round with selenium and probiotics.
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