Winter is a difficult season for so many different reasons.
It is cold as can be, there’s slippery ice and slush, everyone is cranky, and everything is dried out from available moisture being frozen instantly. If you can’t stand this weather, I am sure most people would agree.
The only thing worse than all these winter blahs would be the illnesses that can come with the season. This article is about any illnesses that may come up any time between November and March of each year and what to do about them.
Common Winter Illnesses Include:
• Sinus Infections
• Colds
• The Flu
• Covid and Variants
• Asthma
• Upper Respiratory Infections
• Allergic Reactions
• Pneumonia
Many of the above things can be prevented by staying in warm places as often as you can and making sure your home is not too dry or too humid. Try to avoid being outside in bitter cold temperatures to avoid freezing and drying out your sinuses and any exposed skin.
If you have a forced air furnace or other forced air space heat methods, your sinuses are going to get dry and irritated. The moisture in your home is very scarce due to all moisture being burned off through the heater or being frozen once it hits the outside air. If you can’t use a humidifier, boil pots of water on your stove or leave pots of water close to your furnace vents.
Other illnesses mentioned above that aren’t caused by cold air or moisture issues can be prevented in the following ways:
- Eat healthy and seek out foods with Vitamin A, C, D, and E. Also seek out Folate/Folic Acid, Iron, Selenium, and Zinc.
- Get regular exercise. If you can’t do much exercise frequently, do as much as you can. Try starting with 10 minutes per day. Then try a bit more each time and try different exercise methods to keep it interesting.
- Avoid interacting closely with people. If you must interact, wear a mask, wash your hands, and avoid touching anyone.
- Get enough sleep as often as possible. Sleep is one of your best defenses against sickness.
- Quit smoking and take care of your lungs. If you need help, there are a lot of different programs and people you can reach out to.
Every year we get through it and pop out on the other side when spring arrives. This year, make it more enjoyable and healthier by using the tips above. Happy winter!