Colder temperatures in winter can put your family’s health at risk. According to WebMD, viruses live longer indoors in winter because the air is less humid than outside. With more people gathered inside the home during the cold season, it becomes easier for these viruses to spread.
Fight off winter diseases, like the common cold and flu, and maintain your family’s overall health. Here are 6 tips for a healthy winter:
Wash Your Hands Frequently
Washing your hands with soap and water is one important step to staying safe and healthy during the cold and flu season. It helps remove germs from your hands and prevents the spread of infection to others. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, hand washing can prevent about 30% of diarrhea-related illnesses and about 20% of respiratory infections.
Eat healthy
During the winter holidays, it might be hard to take control of your diet. American households love to celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas with a feast. Harvard Health Publishing recommends following a nutrient-rich diet that includes lots of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. This type of diet helps strengthen your immune system to be able to fight off diseases.
Exercise Regularly
Wipe out winter tiredness by exercising regularly. Take advantage of sunny mornings in winter and take a walk around the neighborhood. You can also try winter sports such as ice skating or snowboarding and skiing. After or during physical activity, do not forget to drink lots of fluids to stay hydrated.
Get Enough Sleep
Don’t underestimate the importance of a good night’s sleep. Sleep keeps your body healthy and strong, allowing you to take on the day’s work with great energy. According to the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, for adults, it requires 7 to 8 hours of good quality sleep to maintain good health while, for school-aged children, 9 to 12 hours of sleep each night would suffice.
Clean And Disinfect Your Home
Cleaning and disinfecting your home is the easiest way to prevent the spread of diseases. Prioritize using disinfectant spray on frequently-touched areas like doorknobs, light switches, phones, handles, toilets, faucets, sinks, etc. Also, don’t forget to dispose of your house garbage. Leaving it in a corner to pile up will attract pests and insects to enter your home.
Keep Your Indoors Warm
By maintaining quality indoor heating in your home, you can help your family stay well this winter. Nidirect provides tips for keeping your home warm this winter, which include heating your indoors at least 16ºC (61ºF) during the day and keeping the temperature above 18°C (65°F) during the night. To make sure your heating system stays 100% functional this winter, do not forget to schedule a furnace tune-up in Fall.
Are you experiencing problems with your heating equipment at home? If yes, make sure to consult a licensed and experienced HVAC contractor right away. Promptly addressing heating issues in your residential property will save you from dealing with expensive repairs or replacements. By hiring a professional furnace tune-up, you rest assured that your furnace will be working at its best this winter. Call the pros to winterize your heating system now!
