Winter Health Tips
Prevent and manage the spread of Colds:
-A cold lasts for a week. Treat it with pain relievers, fluids, rest and relax
-Wash your hands and blow your nose frequently to rid yourself of organisms.
-Don’t over exercise. It uses up the body’s reserve, and you need that to fight winter colds. Exercise in moderation.
Limit alcohol consumption:
When you drink, alcohol replaces oxygen in your bloodstream. The lack of oxygen batters your immune system so you will get frequent colds that don’t get better within a week. Drink moderately!
Prevent re-infecting yourself when you have a cold:
Submerge the head of your toothbrush in a cup with a mix of rubbing alcohol, mouthwash and hydrogen peroxide to kill germs.
Stay home when you are sick.
Quit Smoking
: Contact North Carolina Tobacco Use Quitline: 1-800-QUIT-NOW
Relieve Stress
:
Stress lowers your immune system and increases your chances of catching a virus. Do something relaxing every day.
Maintain Healthy Skin
:
-Take short, warm showers
-Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize – Within 2-3 minutes of emerging from the shower, apply a coat of a fragrance-free, moisturizing cream or ointment, not lotion, all over the body to lock in the skin's moisture. Sleeping with a humidifier in your bedroom will also help moisten the air.
-Apply sunscreen every day, even if it's cold, cloudy, or if you're only leaving home for a short while. Choose one that has UVA and UVB coverage, and is SPF 30 or higher.
