It’s that time of year again, where finals and the holidays are approaching, and no matter how hard you try to isolate yourself in the safety of your room, eventually you catch the bug floating around. We all know, wash our hands, cover our mouths when we cough, and don’t share germs, however, there are a few tips and tricks to preventing these sicknesses that we may forget, which include things such as eating healthy and getting enough sleep. Here are a few reminders for prevention while this season approaches:

• Vitamin C

•  Try “Emergen-C” packets when you feel a cold approaching
•  Vitamin C daily vitamins
• Oranges & orange juice, bell peppers, green vegetables or kiwi

• Change pillow cases & tooth brushes often

• Say yes to the flu shot

• “Eat to Beat” the illness

•  high quality protein: fish, lean meats, and beans (help build white blood cells which are the body’s defenders)
•  fruits and veggies (provides antioxidants)
•  omega 3 (keeps the immune system balanced): flaxseed, nuts, and fatty fish
• Probiotics (strengthen the immune system by getting rid of bad germs): yogurt

• Exercise

•  Stimulates the immune cells that target colds, but don’t over-do it! Heavy training may cause stress which allows viruses into the system

• Hydration

•  The warmth and moist air helps kill viruses, therefore use a humidifier to help keep sicknesses out of your house
• Drink plenty of water

• 8+ hours of sleep

Already caught the bug, and cannot wait until it is gone? Try some of these easy and affordable remedies that might knock that sickness out cold!

Remedies:

• Mix Echinacea with warm water 4 times a day

• Keep drinking that water, stay hydrated!

• Saline drops for your nose

• Honey for your throat or gargle with salt water

• Hot cures such as Soup or tea

Although many myths state that we will get sick due to what we wear outside in the winter, that may not be the case. Here are a few busted myths to keep in mind for the winter season:

Myths:

• Going outside without a jacket – cold air is good for you and you are less likely to get sick outside than in, but it also doesn’t hurt to bundle up.

• Going outside when your hair is wet- unless you’re at the point of hypothermia, you will not be affected.

• Rubbing Vicks on your feet and then putting on socks before you sleep. This is supposed to be used to cure a cough, however there is no factual proof, but it may be worth a try!