Despite the fact that Southern California has been experiencing a rather mild winter, illness is still rampant.  One of the things I don’t like about winter is the prevalence of viruses and bacteria that cause everything from the common cold and flu to ear infections and strep throat.

So how do we stay well during this time?  Here are some of my best tips:

1. Know when to wash your hands.  I know it sounds too easy. But handwashing is the number one way to prevent the spread of germs. So why does illness still abound in the winter?  People are simply not cognizant of when they should wash their hands.  If you touch your eyes, nose, or mouth, you should wash your hands.  Before you eat and after you use the restroom are appropriate times to wash your hands.  When you’re ill, you should be extremely vigilant about handwashing after sneezing and blowing your nose.

2.  When you can’t wash your hands, antibac!  A waterless antibacterial is very beneficial, particularly with children.  Clean’s Anti-bacterial Moisturizing Hand Cream kills 99.9% of germs for up to 4 hours.  The cream is moisturizing, rather than drying and suspends germs using it’s Safety-Derm technology.   It’s available in Original, Ultimate, Shower Fresh, and Unscented varieties and free from alcohol, and triclosan.

3.  Get enough R & R: It is during relaxation and sleep that our bodies rejuvenate. Our immune system, in particular, needs this time of rest to repair itself so that it can fight off illness.

4.  Become a pro on probiotics: Whether you get them through yogurt or via supplements, probiotics can decrease the number of illnesses you get and their severity.  We like GoodBelly because it’s dairy free and helps with my son’s GI issues.

5.  Get a breath of fresh air:  One of the reasons illness is so prevalent during the winter months is that everyone congregates inside due to the weather.  This is the time when we avoid crowded, indoor spaces and opt for the outdoors.

What are your best tips for staying healthy this winter?

No compensation was received for this post

Photo Credit: davidlat.  All rights reserved.