Winter Illnesses: What Can You Do When Illness Strikes at a Bad Time?

With the cold weather come the colds. Flus, head colds, and general sniffling and aching come part and parcel with the chilly weather.

You’re more likely to become ill in winter due to a variety of reasons. For one, in winter we spend much more time indoors and in closer contact to other people—and to their germs. The dry air from chilly weather and heated homes work together to dry out mucous membranes, making them more susceptible to germs.

There is also research that suggests that our very genes change with the seasons. Some studies have found that during the winter months our bodies increase the rates of inflammation in our cells, which can make us feel worse when we do get sick.

To help recover from these inevitable colds and flus faster, here are a few tips we use to keep ourselves going when illness strikes:

Sleep well

Getting a good night’s sleep isn’t only about feeling well-rested, it’s about your body’s health too. Well-rested bodies are better able to fend off viruses and recover faster when they do become infected. Not everyone needs the same amount of sleep, but a safe bet is to aim for 8 hours a night and see how you feel.

Get your probiotics

The gut has recently been called the “second brain” and there’s good reason for that. Health begins in your digestive system and fermented foods and other probiotic rich foods help keep your gut’s flora healthy. This helps you fight off a variety of illnesses and other threats.

Stress less

When you’re stressed, your body produces more cortisol and your defense systems can become weakened. Living with high levels of stress can make you more susceptible to colds and flus, as well as other strange conditions like hives, weight gain, and headaches.

It’s important to find ways to keep your stress levels low. Whether that’s by putting more emphasis on your work/life balance or by disconnecting from social media and your phone for a few hours a night.

Skip the sugar

While fat used to be the evil culprit of diets, science has changed and now the finger is pointed squarely at sugar. Our cravings for sugar are natural. Many thousands of years ago, finding a source of sugar meant a source of quick, easy fuel in a time when such foods were in short supply. Now, processed sugar takes up a large part of our diet and it commits a wide range of sins against our bodies, including priming us for diabetes, making our heart work overtime, and affecting our skin. It also negatively affects our immune systems by curbing the immune system cells that attack bacteria, making us more susceptible to colds and flus.

While colds and flus may be inconvenient, they are most often passing inconveniences. However, serious chronic illnesses like diabetes, thyroid conditions or heart disease can mean that your life and your finances may be turned upside down. These illnesses can take you away from your work and make finances tight. When this happens, you may benefit from a personal loan to help cover incidental costs and to protect your family. To access a personal loan, go to kingofkash.com to apply.