Get healthy and stay healthy : Rooftop Views

Rooftop Views

Get healthy and stay healthy

This time of year means the return of something less than fun... the dreaded cold and flu season. And the cost of the season is nothing to sneeze at! Did you know that Americans spend approximately $4 Billion on over the counter cold and flu remedies? That's not even factoring in how much time and productivity is lost on sick-time in the workplace, or co-pays for doctor visits and prescriptions.

To Help Stay Healthy, Start Following These Quick Tips Now:

Determine how susceptible you are. Start by asking yourself a few simple questions: Were you ill several times last year? Do you frequently feel fatigued? Do you sleep less than seven hours per night? If you answer yes to several of those questions, it may be a good idea to consult your doctor for a pre-flu season check-up.

Build up your immune system. Take the time now to catch up on sleep and get a flu shot. In addition, make sure you're getting enough Vitamin C and Zinc. Taking these supplements has been shown to markedly reduce cold symptoms.

Wash your hands frequently. Hand-to-mouth contact is the most common way that people get sick, so keep those hands clean and encourage your family to do the same. You can also carry a hand sanitizer with you to keep your hands germ free when you can't wash.

Wash your nose? Here's a little known--yet effective--tip for combating the cold and flu season. By using a simple saline nasal wash or nasal irrigation, you can actually help rid yourself of colds and allergies. Although it doesn't look pretty in action, it's effective in washing away germs and particulates, as well as healing and protecting your nasal passages. The fact is, when dry winter air makes the tissues inside your sinuses dry and cracked, germs have a perfect place to live and breed, which makes you sick more easily. But a saline nasal wash, available at most drugstores, can lubricate, protect and clean those nasal tissues to help keep healthy. And it may help reduce snoring!

By taking a little time to protect yourself from illness, you can help make sure that you are able to enjoy the things that are important to you... like spending time with family and friends, working hard at your career, and remaining healthy and active during the fall and winter seasons!