With cold and flu season underway, it’s important to live a healthy lifestyle that could boost your immunity and keep you sniffle-free. You may also have a co-worker, family member or friend that’s under the weather, but it doesn’t mean you have to be! While colds and flu are highly contagious and may seem unavoidable, there are a few things you can control to reduce their duration or even prevent them altogether. It’s all about being mindful and making a concerted effort to maintain daily habits.

If you’re wondering what you can do to prevent or reduce the duration of a cold or flu, here are some effective tips you can follow to keep your health in tip-top shape. Remember – small changes can make a big difference.

Stay hydrated

Drinking an adequate amount of water everyday helps to rid your body of toxins and keeps you from becoming dehydrated. This is especially important if you’re not feeling your best as it can help loosen mucous and replace any fluids that were lost. Adequate hydration can also help to prevent the cold and flu by enabling blood circulation and boosting your immunity.

Looking for an extra boost? Try soaking your favourite fruits in water overnight and drink it during the day for an added dose of vitamins with a flavourful kick. Hot liquids such as soup, broths and tea can also help alleviate some of your symptoms and soothe your membranes.

Aside from cold and flu season, it’s especially important to stay hydrated because it’s also dry season in the Caribbean. This means that exposure to prolonged hours of sunlight could lead to dehydration if you’re not drinking enough water and fluids, so be sure to keep hydrated throughout the day.

Eat a balanced diet & take supplements

We’ve all heard it before – a healthy diet is an absolute must for longevity and well-being. But did you know that a nutrient-rich diet can shield you from the cold and flu or even reduce their severity if you already have them? Ramp up your immunity with vitamin-enriched fruits and vegetables such as oranges, broccoli, kale, ginger and garlic. Spicy foods can also help ease congestion if you’re able to tolerate them well.

Need an extra boost to fight your current cold/flu or prevent an early onset from getting worse? Jamieson’s Cold Fighter supplement is an excellent addition to your regime. Its soothing formula helps relieve cold and flu symptoms such as sore throat, cough and congestion. Try one (1) chewable per day to reduce your symptoms or to help shorten the duration of your cold or flu altogether.


Get extra rest

If your health is in a compromised state because of the cold or flu, it’s important to get rest and even more than usual. Sleep allows your body to recover and heal, which in turn boosts your immunity and gives you energy to function during waking hours.

If you’re a busy bee during the week, getting more rest may seem impossible. However, it’s important to consider your long-term health and well-being even if it means taking a few days off from your busy schedule.

Don’t forget to wash your hands!

As you’re up and about during the day, your hands continuously touch multiple surfaces such as work desks, door handles, keyboards and table-tops (to name a few). It’s therefore quite possible to be in contact with germs that cause the cold or flu, especially if you’re around persons who have it. A useful tip is remembering to wash your hands each hour and avoid touching your face. It’s also helpful to keep hand sanitizer in your bag, purse or at your work desk. That way, you’ll remember to keep your hands as germ-free as possible.

These simple but effective tips can help you to beat the cold and flu season while keeping you healthy all-year long.