The beautiful season of fall is upon us! The trees are changing colors and the weather is cooling down. With this cooler weather also comes an increase in the spread of sicknesses such as a cold or the flu. Sickness is especially susceptible in families with children who go to school. Here are four tips to prevent sickness in the home and help keep your family healthy this fall and winter.
Tip 1: Wash Your Hands
One of the most common ways germs and bacteria spread are from touch. We use our hands for everything in life, which means that our hands are exposed to a lot of germs that may cause yourself or someone else to get sick. By cleaning your hands every time you sneeze, cough, or go to the restroom, you essentially are washing away and cleaning your hands of any germs that may have collected on them and possibly preventing someone from getting sick. Doesn’t it feel good to save the world?
Tip 2: Drink Plenty of Water
Staying hydrated is very important no matter the season. Staying hydrated in the fall and the winter is just as important as staying hydrated in the heat of the summer. Your body is about 70% water, so keeping it hydrated is very important. Staying hydrated helps your immune system by providing more lymph fluid to fight off sicknesses. Staying hydrated can also help with headaches, joint pain, fatigue, and your mood. Water for the win!
Tip 3: Cover Your Mouth
Every time you cough or sneeze, whatever germs or bacteria that was in your mouth is now floating in the air surrounding you. How can this be avoided you ask? It’s simple, cover your mouth. By covering your mouth with your shoulder, your hand, a handkerchief, or some other article of clothing, you prevent all of those germs and bacteria from spreading and you are preventing someone else from getting sick.
Tip 4: Avoid Touching Your Face
Let’s be reasonable here, you are not going to wash your hands every time you shake someone’s hand. We are human and we forget to do the little things, like washing your hands, all the time. For that reason, you should avoid touching your face so that all of those sickness-inducing germs don’t get to locations where you can get sick.
By following these four suggestions to prevent sickness at home, you can spend more time with family and friends rather than at the doctor or in bed. If you still happen to get sick, call us at Mountain Peaks at 801-724-9840. You can make an appointment with one of our award-winning doctors over-the-phone, or by walk-in.