Nobody wants to get sick. The best way to avoid catching any of these pesky illnesses that are going around, whether it’s the flu or coronavirus is to know the right steps to protect yourself. After all, feeling lousy isn’t anyone’s idea of a good time—especially if you’re in your retirement years. To help you steer clear of those nasty germs, here are some of the best ways to avoid getting ill.
Wash Your Hands Regularly
It may seem so simple, yet it’s incredibly effective. Washing your hands is proven to eliminate your chances of getting ill by nearly 80% compared to not washing your hands. Hopefully, you already know this since we’re in a worldwide pandemic, but just in case, now is a good time to get started
It’s as simple as using warm water and plenty of suds and scrubbing for at least 30 seconds. If you don’t have any warm water and soap handy, then keep a trustee anti-bacterial gel nearby.
Eat Fresh Fruit and Vegetables
Most people know that it’s important to take your vitamins every day however, in addition to a daily multivitamin, you should also consider getting your vitamins from natural food sources. Eating fresh fruits and vegetables is the best way to make sure that your body is full of plenty of nutrients that will keep your immune system strong and up for battling illness if it comes your way.
Try eating foods that are rich in antioxidants like pomegranate, and green leafy vegetables. The more you do, the less you’ll get ill.
Get Vaccinated
While the vaccine may be up for debate for COVID, there is much less debate when it comes to getting your flu vaccine. The CDC recommends that everyone gets a yearly vaccine, especially people over the age of 60 since the flu could be deadly. Besides putting you at risk for hospitalization, and even fatality, the flu is a horrible experience. You’re better off eliminating your risk altogether by getting a shot.
Get Plenty of Sleep
Sleeping is more than just a wonderful and relaxing activity that keeps us feeling and looking fresher. It’s also essential for boosting our immune systems. When we fail to get enough sleep, we lower our natural defenses, and we put ourselves at risk to catch all sorts of illnesses.
Sleep experts recommend at least eight hours of sleep at night, and occasionally six as long as it’s not every night. Above all, your quality of sleep is also something that should be prioritized. Make sure that you’re sleeping in a dark environment with no noise at just the right temperature, and you’ll ensure that you are not just snoozing, but getting deep restorative sleep.