When it comes to the spread of colds and flues, prevention is perhaps the most important antidote. Grabbing the first cold or cough medicine you see off the drug store shelf is nowhere near the best answer to the not uncommon dilemma of how to deal with the common cold. The fact is, it is far more effective to avoid catching a cold on the front end than it ever could be to diagnose and treat it on the back end. If you really want to live a healthier life, it’s vital that you arm yourself with knowledge about prevention in order to counter a cold’s nasty effects before they even start. Following is important information about how to prevent colds by observing good hygiene habits, avoiding the spread of colds, and boosting your immune system.
Observe good hygiene habits
If you want to reduce your risk of catching a cold, your most fundamental plan of attack is cleanliness. Wash your hands throughout the day often with soap and water, especially when you’re out among crowds. Wash your hands for a minimum of 20 seconds, and be sure to teach your children to wash their hands often throughout the day with soap and water, also for at least 20 seconds each time. Additionally, you must avoid touching any area of your face unless your hands have been freshly cleansed with either soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Because viruses that cause the common cold are capable of remaining on your hands for a long time, it’s important to observe regular hand washing throughout the day for proper cold prevention. Remember also to regularly disinfect all surfaces that can be touched, such as doors and doorknobs, toys, telephones, keyboards, and desks.
Avoid the spread of colds
When it comes to spreading colds, all that’s needed is contact. Try not to come into contact with others when they are sick with a cold. Because the viruses that cause the common cold can spread easily from one infected person to another even through the air, it’s important to stay out of close proximity to sick people. It’s especially important to refrain from touching people who are sick and especially to avoid shaking hands with them. Additionally, when you have a cold, give others a break and stay home when you’re sick. It’s far better to take a day or two away from work when you’re sick than it is to come in and infect everyone around you, thereby causing others to miss work as well. If you’re in the stage of a cold where you’re coughing or sneezing, always cover your mouth with your sleeve or a tissue and then throw it away. Never simply cough or sneeze into the air, since these viruses are still quite effective when they’re airborne. Try also to steer clear of crowds as much as possible during cold seasons.
Boost your immune system
Boosting your immune system is an important step in preventing colds. First, be sure to eat a healthy diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables that contain important vitamins such as C, A, and D, the body’s superstars when it comes to cold prevention. Eating a healthy diet will also help you to maintain a healthy weight, which is another important means of boosting your immune system and avoiding illness. Additionally, it’s important to get 7 to 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep each and every night.
The common cold costs Americans an estimated $40 billion annually, which is only one of the reasons you need to learn about prevention. Another, even more important, reason is the health of you and your family. The average adult suffers two to three colds per year, and children experience even more colds than adults. The sad fact is that we humans haven’t discovered a cure for the common cold yet, but we have learned ample means of preventing them. It’s not hard to live a healthier life, free from the common cold and its potential negative impacts on all the important tasks you need to get done every day. Simply equip yourself with helpful tips on how to prevent colds, and you’re well on your way to a healthier, more vibrant life free of the common cold.