As cold and flu season quickly approaches, parents are busy stocking their homes with all of the essentials to help their family recover and provide relief during this stressful time. Here are 8 useful remedy tips for Canadian families to consider this cold and flu season.
TIP 1: MAINTAIN IDEAL HUMIDITY LEVELS
Research has shown that maintaining indoor humidity levels between 40 to 60 per cent reduces the survival of flu viruses in the air. Ensure you have a humidifier in bedrooms to also provide the right amount of moisture to help you sleep soundly.
TIP 2: USE LOTS OF TISSUES
If you’re coming down with the cold, stock up on tissues as a sanitary
method of ridding your body of germs and avoid the risk of spreading it to those around you.
TIP 3: STAY HYDRATED
Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration and flush out mucus and other infections in the body. Some acidic fruit juices can upset an empty stomach or sore throat. Water and tea are the best remedies when fighting an illness.
TIP 4: MAKE GERMS FEEL UNWELCOME
When someone in the household is sick, it’s important to reduce germs on surfaces and in the air. Wipe down handles and other frequently touched surfaces with an anti-bacterial/anti-viral cleanser. Use an air purifier to help reduce microscopic airborne germs. True HEPA air purifiers are effective at capturing certain airborne bacteria and viruses. Air purifiers should be operated on the lowest speed setting during cold and flu season to help be most effective at capturing the smaller, more harmful particles.
TIP 5: KEEP WARM
Especially important during the winter months, when you are more exposed to cold weather, keeping warm is an essential remedy to help you rest and sleep comfortably. Have your favourite blanket, wool socks and a bowl of soup handy on your sick day!
TIP 6: CHECK ACCURATE BODY TEMPERATURES
A fever is an increased temperature of the body as it responds to an infection. Use an up-to-date thermometer to detect your accurate body temperature, because the hand to forehead method is not entirely precise. For instant, soothing relief during a fever place a cool or wet towel on the back of your neck or underarms.
TIP 7: GET COMFORTABLE
Create a comfortable space to recuperate with all of your cold and flu necessities nearby. This may include blankets, a hot water bottle, books, movies and tissues.
TIP 8: TAKE A SICK DAY
Letting your body and mind rest when suffering from a cold or flu will help your immune system fight infections. Staying home to recuperate will also prevent you from spreading germs to others, much appreciated by coworkers and classmates during cold and flu season!
Just got back from holidays ( vegas!) And have brought home a cold 🙁 Good tips! Taking a sick day today!
I always make sure I am stocked with everything I may need in case and I also follow most of your tips. Thankfully though I have a strong immune system.
At least one of us end up with the flu, or a cold each year. Our landlord controls our heat, and it’s always cold up here. Just purchased extra heaters. Hoping to combat the colds this year!
Had the flu already. The humidifier with Vicks helped a lot.
definitely some great tips here! i am really interested in getting the Vicks sweet dreams cool mist humidifier! it would be great for my girls
good tips – I just stay in bed or under a blanket on the sofa
great tips. Feeling a little sick right now! Will have to try some of these out
Curled up in front of the fire with a cuddly blanket! That’s my tip.
Great tips! I’m really hoping I don’t have to use them this winter! A humidifier is super important and really helps!
Stock up on Lysol wipes and liptons chicken noodle soup,
I try to be prepared for the flu season, and make the extra effort to get plenty of rest.
Great tips – we always use a humidifier and I don’t know how we lived without the ear thermometer. I would love to try an air purifier…
I haven’t used an air purifier to fight colds and flu before. Interesting idea. I will definitely give it a try.
I think taking sick days are so important when you are sick. You stop the spread than. Thanks for the tips.
Some other good tips are to make sure you maintain a healthy diet and active lifestyle. They can’t prevent you from getting sick, but in my experience, the healthier I eat and the more I exercise, the less likely I am to get sick…and when I do, it doesn’t last as long.
Thanks fir the tips1
good tips,,this time of year is so bad for flu and colds have to be very careful
We have humidifiers running in our boys’ rooms almost constantly. A huge help. Good tips.
Take a sick day. Wish more people actually did this in workplaces! I’d also like those who are flying to be provided with a mask.
Great suggestions! Hopefully our household can be cold and flu free this year!
Thanks for the post,these are all great tips,i find once school starts its back to the runny noses and coughs.
all great tips. I find making sure to get a lot of sleep also helps.
All great tips! I myself have not gotten the flu since 2008 I go and get my shot every year, but I would love to get the Braun ear themometer!!
Great tips. It’s so important to stay hydrated.
I could have used this kit last week when my husband got sick
With four kids in school, viruses tend to spread endlessly through the winter in our house. Thanks for the tips as they will help me to prepare.
I need a vapourizer for my bedroom.
Staying hydrated is important – and something that can easily get overlooked when all you want to do is sleep!
Rest and relaxation are great tips, stress just wears down the body so much further, a cup of tea hydrates and relaxes!
I had a bad coldfor maybe a week a few months back, wasnt too bad! I have been focussing on keeping hydrated !
Love TIp 8 😉 Rest and relaxation are my remedies too!
Great tips! lots of rest and hot homemade chicken soup for me!
Some great tips
To prevent getting the flu we always get our flu shots, eat well, get lots of sleep etc. I do love humidifiers when someone is ill!