Cold & Flu Prevention Tips for Germantown & Montgomery County

It’s that time of year again! The radio and television commercials are in full force, everyone’s talking about it, and you might already be preparing for it at home.

No, we’re not talking about the Holidays, but rather the cold and flu season! Not really something to celebrate, we agree. But given that the average person gets hit with 2 to 4 colds each winter, and 2012 saw 200,000 hospitalizations due to influenza alone, it’s definitely worth paying attention to.

So in addition to getting the flu shot, how can you keep your family healthy this winter?

Here are 5 simple ways to naturally boost your immunity to fight off those viral intruders all winter long. And should you get a cold or flu anyway, these tips can get you feeling better faster.

Get your exercise.

Whether it’s a brisk walk outside, 30 minutes on the treadmill, or a crazy dance session with your kids, research shows that at least 30 minutes of daily moderate exercise increases immune function and reduces your chances of catching a cold.

Rest up.

A good nights’ sleep (at least 7 hours) allows your body to repair and restore itself after a long and stressful day, and is the key to a strong immune system.

Clear the air.  

Research shows that indoor air is 25 to 100 times more polluted than the air outdoors.  Consider installing a whole-house air purification system to remove mold, mildew, bacteria, viruses and other pollutants from the air.

Get your daily dose of vitamins and minerals.

Zinc is a powerhouse mineral that has been proven to support and enhance the immune system. Eat zinc-rich foods like oysters, baked beans, and pumpkin seeds to get your 8 milligrams a day. And don’t forget your vitamin D, which helps regulate the immune system, increases calcium absorption, and reduced inflammation. Good sources of vitamin D are sunlight, fatty fish, and milk.

Eat real food.

Avoiding highly processed foods is a good tip any time of year, but especially important during the cold and flu season. Leafy greens are packed with flu-fighting phytonutrients, and garlic and shitake mushrooms have anti-viral properties to help boost immunity.

At Your 1 Plumber, we also encourage you to wash your hands frequently with warm water and soap to prevent passing germs from one family member to another.  And if, at any time, you should run into problems with your water heater or experience any other plumbing problems, just pick up the phone and give us call.  After all, we are the only plumber you’ll ever need!

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