Staying Healthy During Cold and Flu Season

It happens every year: the weather cools down, and suddenly it feels like someone in your office, household, or friend group is always fighting something off.

While you can’t avoid every bug going around, you can be proactive about supporting your health through cold and flu season.

So, before the tissues start piling up beside the bed, let’s talk prevention!

Sleep Is Doing More Than You Think

We know, “get more sleep” isn’t exactly groundbreaking health advice. But there’s a reason it keeps coming up.

Sleep plays an important role in supporting your immune system, and consistently not getting enough can affect how well your body responds to infection.

Aim for a consistent sleep schedule and give yourself enough time to actually rest. A few extra late nights can add up.

Give Your Immune System Something to Work With

There’s no single food or vitamin that can make you immune to whatever is going around. Your immune system relies on a range of nutrients to function normally, including vitamin C, vitamin D, zinc, and several B vitamins.

Instead of reaching for something only when you feel a cold coming on, focus on what your body is getting consistently. A varied diet with plenty of whole foods can help provide the nutrients your body needs to support healthy immune function.

Don’t Let Hydration Slip

When the weather cools down, it can be surprisingly easy to forget about hydration. You may not feel as thirsty as you do during the summer, but your body still needs adequate fluids to function properly.

Water, tea, soups, fruits, and vegetables can all contribute to your daily fluid intake.

And if you realize at 3 p.m. that you’ve been running on coffee since breakfast, it might be time to find your water bottle.

Keep Moving

When it gets colder and darker outside, the couch can start looking a lot more appealing. And hey, sometimes the couch wins.

Regular physical activity supports your overall health, including immune function, sleep, and stress management. You don’t need to go all-out, either. A walk, strength training, yoga, or whatever gets you moving all counts.

And if you’re feeling sick, listen to your body. Sometimes the healthiest thing you can do is rest.

Give Yourself a Break

Cold and flu season also lands during a pretty busy stretch of the year. Work picks up, schedules fill up, the holidays creep closer, and downtime can be hard to come by.

Make some room for whatever helps you reset, whether that’s exercise, getting outside, spending time with friends, counselling, or simply having an evening with nothing on the calendar.

Taking a break isn’t wasted time. Sometimes it’s exactly what you need.

The Boring Stuff Works

Some of the most effective prevention tips are also the ones you’ve heard a hundred times.

Wash your hands regularly, avoid touching your face with unwashed hands, cover coughs and sneezes, and give yourself time to recover when you’re sick.

Keeping recommended vaccinations up to date can also help protect against illnesses like influenza and COVID-19. If you’re unsure what’s recommended for you, your doctor or pharmacist can help.

Where IV Therapy Can Fit In

IV therapy can be another option for supporting hydration and certain nutritional needs. At Restore, treatments are provided under medical supervision and tailored to the individual.

It won’t prevent a cold or the flu, but for some people, it may complement the healthy habits already supporting their overall wellness.

IV therapy may also be covered under naturopathic benefits, depending on your extended health plan. Check your coverage to see what’s included.

Curious if IV therapy is right for you? Our medical team can help.

A Little Prevention Goes a Long Way

You can’t dodge every cold or flu that comes your way, but you can give your body a stronger foundation for the season ahead.

Pay attention to what your body needs, keep up with the habits that make you feel good, and don’t wait until you’re completely run down to give your health some attention.

Here’s to a healthier cold and flu season!