Now that the days have become shorter and wetter again, the cold season has begun. If you want to prevent a cold, you should pay attention to three things: adequate hygiene, strengthening the immune system with a balanced diet and planning enough rest.
The following tips will help you stay healthy during the cold season:
How you can prevent a cold
- Wash your hands regularlyespecially if you have been in places where there are a lot of people. Pathogens are primarily spread via the hands. For example, cold viruses can survive on door handles, on bus straps or on light switches. If you wash your hands regularly, you reduce the risk of picking up or passing on bacteria or viruses.
- If another wave of colds goes around, you are also well advised to: Avoid crowds. Even if you are near someone who already has a cold, the risk of infection is increased. Since the Corona pandemic, we have known the distance recommendation of 1.5 meters – this also makes it more difficult for cold viruses to spread.
- Ventilate You should also eat enough when you are in company – then viruses get outside more quickly. Flu viruses also survive longer in dry air than in rooms with higher humidity. Dry air is also bad for the nasal and throat mucosa. If this is attacked, pathogens can penetrate the body more easily.
<img srcset="https://www.oekotest.de/static_files/images/chapters/187925/Zitronen-und-Kiwis-haben-viel-Vitamin-C-_CC0-Pexels-Lukas.jpg 1280w, https://www.oekotest.de/static_files/images/chapters/187925/Zitronen-und-Kiwis-haben-viel-Vitamin-C-_CC0-Pexels-Lukas_960.jpg 960w, https://www.oekotest.de/static_files/images/chapters/187925/Zitronen-und-Kiwis-haben-viel-Vitamin-C-_CC0-Pexels-Lukas_640.jpg 640w, https://www.oekotest.de/static_files/images/chapters/187925/Zitronen-und-Kiwis-haben-viel-Vitamin-C-_CC0-Pexels-Lukas_320.jpg 320w, https://www.oekotest.de/static_files/images/chapters/187925/Zitronen-und-Kiwis-haben-viel-Vitamin-C-_CC0-Pexels-Lukas_160.jpg 160w" sizes="(min-width: 1000px) 635px" width="1280" height="720" alt="Lemons and kiwis have a lot of vitamin C.” title=”Lemons and kiwis have a lot of vitamin C.” src=”https://www.oekotest.de/static_files/images/chapters/187925/Zitronen-und-Kiwis-haben-viel-Vitamin-C-_CC0-Pexels-Lukas.jpg”/>
Lemons and kiwis have a lot of vitamin C. (Photo: CC0/Pexels/Lukas)
Prevent colds with a balanced diet
A balanced diet strengthens your immune system and makes it less susceptible to infections. Fresh fruit and vegetables as well as whole grain products contain important vitamins and minerals.
Also make sure that there is enough vitamin C in your diet: lemon, sea buckthorn, elderberry and Brussels sprouts, for example, help prevent a cold.
Prevent colds through rest
In order to reduce stress and thus protect the immune system, sufficient and restful sleep is important. You shouldn’t freeze at night either. Regular exercise during the day is also recommended.
The best prevention against colds is not to lock yourself at home in cold and wet conditions. It doesn’t hurt to get used to bad weather, for example by doing enough exercise or taking regular walks outside – dressed warmly and dry, of course. This strengthens the immune system and helps reduce stress at the same time.
Stress can also be alleviated with pleasant activities: You can prevent a cold with restful reading, yoga, sufficient breaks and of course with nice social activities such as meeting friends.
