While the winter season brings family and friends together, it also brings an increased chance of illness. An increased number of gatherings and the cold weather are the perfect recipe for spreading germs. Luckily, there are several ways to keep yourself healthy during this winter season. Following the tips outlined below will help you overcome COVID, flu, common cold, or other ailments.

Get Rest

Getting enough sleep is the best medicine. In fact, sleep has been proven to speed up recovery. The secret is getting deep sleep so your body can restore and strengthen your immune system. When you start to feel sick, give your body the maximum opportunity to heal itself by going to bed early and avoiding stressful activities. This will allow you to get as much sleep as possible and jumpstart your body’s ability to defend itself from viruses.

Stay Hydrated

Drinking enough water, especially when you’re feeling under the weather, can feel like a chore, but you’ll thank yourself for it later. Hydration is crucial while you’re sick, as it helps the skin and mucous membrane act as a barrier that helps prevent bacteria from entering your system. Not only will hydration help protect your system from outside germs, but it will also help reduce nasal irritation and make breathing easier. If it’s difficult for you to drink water, consider drinking herbal or decaf tea, broth, soup, or non-caffeinated sports drinks.

Wash Your hands Regularly

To prevent spreading germs to others in your household, make sure to wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds after coughing, sneezing, blowing your nose, using the bathroom, etc. Hand sanitizer and facemasks will also help stop the spread.

Take Over-the-Counter Medicine

We recommend taking the following over-the-counter medicine to help you find relief from your symptoms.

Acetaminophen: This medicine is an effective pain reliever for fever and aches. Since acetaminophen is a common ingredient in many OTC medications, make sure to check the labels of each of your medications to ensure you’re not getting too much.

Decongestants: If you’re feeling stuffy and having difficulty breathing, consider taking a decongestant in liquid or pill form. Decongestants are known to shrink blood vessels in your nose so your airways open up. Like all medications, avoid taking too much, and don’t use decongestants for more than three days.

Lozenges: Soothe a sore throat by sucking on lozenges. They increase your saliva production and help keep your throat lubricated. Plus, they have effective ingredients that reduce burning, scratching, and painful symptoms.

Antihistamine: Dealing with a runny nose? Antihistamines provide much-needed relief by blocking the chemical in your body that causes sneezes and sniffling.

Take a Steamy Shower

Although you may be tempted to forgo a shower and lay in bed all day, taking a steamy shower can provide several benefits. If you’re experiencing cold and flu symptoms, a hot shower can thin mucus as you breathe in the steam from the hot water, alleviating congestion. The hot water can also dilate blood vessels, which can reduce headaches.

Not to mention, taking a shower will wash away germs. This way, your body can heal quickly, and you avoid the risk of spreading your illness to other people.

Get Advice From a Doctor

If your symptoms don’t seem to clear up or are worsening, it may be time to see a doctor. The following symptoms require immediate medical attention:

  • Trouble breathing
  • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
  • Inability to wake or stay awake
  • Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin

The doctors at Premier Family Medical’s urgent care will evaluate your symptoms and put you on a path to help you feel better as soon as possible. You can schedule an appointment with an urgent care doctor on the Premier Family Medical website.

Schedule Your Urgent Care Appointment Today

Consulting with an expert on how to handle your sickness will quickly put you on the path of healing. If you feel under the weather and want to be sure you’re doing the right things to allow your body to recover, scheduling an appointment with a physician at an urgent care facility will take the guesswork out of your recovery. Contact Premier Family Medical for any questions you may have.