Stomach bug? Annoying sinus infection? You don’t have time to be sick.
During the winter, more people get sick because colder weather forces us indoors, where we have a lot more contact with individuals in closed areas. Our bodies are made to protect us from getting sick, but it’s hard when other factors—lack of sleep, stress, coming off a recent illness—increase our risks.
Here are simple steps you can take to help boost your immune system and stack the stay-well odds in your favor:
Sanitize and Disinfest Your Surfaces
It’s probably common sense not to shake a sick person’s hands when you want to prevent a cold, but that’s far from the only place that you can pick up germs. A recent study looked for the presence of viruses on surfaces and found that the flu virus was found on as many as 50 percent of surfaces. So, consider sanitizing and disinfecting your surfaces to minimize your exposure to germs and help prevent colds and the flu.
Control Humidity
Cold viruses thrive in dry conditions. Dry air also dries the mucous membranes, which can lead to a stuffy nose and scratchy throat. Excess humidity can cause fungi, mites, molds, mildew and other sick makers to thrive. Artificial heating tends to be very drying, so you may want to buy a humidifier to keep your air moist enough that it doesn’t dry out or dehydrate your sinuses.
Medical studies indicate that maintaining your home’s humidity restrains the survival of various viruses, including influenza, polio, measles and herpes.
Drink Clean Water
Staying hydrated will keep your body strong and ready to fend off cold germs and flu viruses. In fact, one recent study found that drinking plenty of water may boost a particular immune response to enable your body to better fight the viruses. But is your water clean? Get your water quality tested. Drinking unfiltered water can do more harm than good. Consider a water filtration system to ensure you and your family are getting the purest water needed to feel your best.
Purify Your Air
We spend more than 90 percent of our time indoors, where our air is five times more toxic than our outdoor environment, and, in some cases, the air measurements indoors have been found to be 100 times more polluted. Inadequate ventilation is a primary cause of indoor air pollution and is why pollutants rise in homes during the winter. An air filter, especially a HEPA-type filter, can help remove air- borne dust and germs that cause cold, flu, asthma and worse conditions over time.
Contact a healthEhabitats environmental expert at 877-861-3662 to schedule a healthEhome evaluation to test your home’s air, water and surface quality.
