Tips To Avoid Cold This Winter!

Winters is the season for cold and flu. You can help prevent winter cold and flu with careful attention to your hygiene habits and the inclusion of immunity boosters to your diet and lifestyle.   

Symptoms of cold: sore throat, blocked nose, sneezing, headache, coughing, a bit temperature, etc.

Tips to avoid cold and flu this winter:

• Drink plenty of water. Prefer warm water instead of cold water. Also drink some herbal tea, chicken or vegetable soup including garlic and ginger in it to boost your immunity.
• Wash your hands frequently. And always use tissue or handkerchief when sneezing or coughing. Also, keep hand sanitizer on hand.
• Eat lots of fruit, vegetables and choose complex carbs, lean protein and healthy fats like omega-3 to keep a strong immune system.
• Eat food rich in vitamins and minerals, like zinc, vitamin C and vitamin D can really help your body to fend off infection. Zinc - eggs, seafood, tofu, wheat germ, etc. Vitamin D – Sunlight is in short supply during winters, so eat Vitamin D sources like fatty fish, mushrooms, eggs and fortified foods such as milk (cow, soy, almond, etc). Vitamin C - citrus fruits, papaya, cranberries, pineapple and vegetables like broccoli, bell peppers, tomatoes, etc.
• In spices, opt for typically wintry ones, such as cinnamon, cloves, chilli, pepper, ginger, garlic, cumin, fennel. These spices can be added to curries, teas and coffees and essentially to any wintery hot beverage.
• Lack of sleep makes you more prone to infections, hence sleep well.
• Stay stress-free. Try yoga.
• Get some sweat and exercise daily.
• Wear sweaters, jackets, scarves, caps when cold outside.
• Avoid drinking aerated drinks.
• Avoid sugary, processed, fried and junk food.
• Smoking and drinking alcohol hurt the immune system and more prone to cold. Hence quit smoking and don’t drink alcohol.
• Visit your doctor if cold isn’t going away.