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10 Tips to stay healthy and avoid colds & flu
Wash your hands
Common cold and flu viruses spread by direct contact. Avoid
people with colds or the flu like the plague – viruses spread from
their hands to door handles, the telephone or the keyboard and can
live for hours on these surfaces. The next person touching the same
object will pick up these bugs, so wash your hands often or use
alcohol-based hand sanitisers to prevent these viruses passing into
your body.
Use tissues and throw them away
These are great for preventing the spread of colds and
flu, but remember that they can harbour viruses and contaminate any
surface they come in contact with.
Drink plenty fluid
Avoid becoming dehydrated - a typical healthy adult needs
around 1.5 litres of water each day. Drinking water flushes out
your system and helps keep your immune system strong.
Control stress
It is well known that stress can weaken your immune system and may make you more likely to catch a cold than your calmer counterparts.
Eat well
A diet rich in fruit and vegetables can help you avoid many
health problems. Foods rich in vitamins A and C such as citrus
fruit, dark blue and red berries, mangoes, apricots, carrots and
beetroot support the immune system.
Avoid alcohol
We know this seems boring, but drinking excessive amounts of
alcohol is bad for immune cells, which become disorientated and
confused…just like us!
Get plenty fresh air
Avoid getting stuck in a room full of people with stale
air. Find fresh air and breathe deeply. This helps the lymphatic
system move protective immune cells around the body.
Get more sleep
Achieving restful sleep each night (8 hours) helps the
body repair itself and build the immune system. If you need help
sleeping, see our tips on how you can sleep better.
Avoid smoking
This is an irritant to the delicate tissues of your
respiratory tract and increases your susceptibility to viruses that
cause colds and flu.
Keep warm
When you are feeling a bit vulnerable to infection, stay out of the cold night air and avoid the direct stream of air-conditioned air.
