How to avoid getting sick this winter amid Covid-19
With a few smart maneuvers, people can protect themselves from getting sick in this winter season
Now that winter is coming, the chances of getting a cold or flu will rise dramatically. Although most of the cold related illness and flu infections occur during the fall and winter seasons, this year amid Covid-19, the situation is different and more dangerous.
Earlier, it was believed that the harsh summer will put a pause on coronavirus spread, however, it did not come true. As the pandemic continues spreading, it has been predicted that the pandemic could be worse in the upcoming winter this year, according to experts.
Some recent studies conducted in different countries, including India, the UK and Australia, also claimed that the virus cases may rise in winter dampening the outlook for a return to a normal life.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Most doctors stress that healthy lifestyle practices like eating healthy foods, getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, and frequent hand washing will make life less vulnerable in the winter amid Covid-19 outbreak.
While talking to The Business Standard, Dr Lelin Chowdhury, chairman of Health and Hope Hospital and a preventive medicine expert, has mentioned a few smart maneuvers that can protect people from getting sick in this winter season.
Here are the tips that can help boosting health this winter:
Eat healthy, nutritious foods
Immune system is the defense against any infection in the body. The general immune response to one infection prevents the next one from getting in, studies have shown.
According to Dr Lelin, eating green, leafy vegetables will automatically boost a specific cell-surface which is necessary for efficient immune-system function.
"Eating plenty of fresh fruits especially fruits that contain vitamin C and green vegetables can help support the immune system."
Vegetables are easily available in the winter season. "Include more vegetables in the winter diet to stay warm and healthy. Vegetables, such as cauliflower, cabbage, brinjal, pumpkin, bean, green spinach are seasonal and fresh, and hence, are even healthier for the body.
Water is the most important thing for every physiological process in your body," says Dr Lelin Chowdhury.
Eating more Protein
Protein can also help to improve the immune system.
"People who consume food like fish, meat, egg, peanut butter, dairy, and are less likely to get the flu this winter," said Dr Lelin Chowdhury.
As the protein-rich foods; fish, meat, egg etc are not always affordable for the mass people, people can have different types of pulses and fresh vegetables, he added.
Exercise regularly
Walking and working out regularly will enhance immune function during winter amid Covid-19.
Exercise can help the body to fight against any cold or flu germs.
Practicing good hygiene
As winter sets in, the pollution level of Bangladesh will reach its extreme level due to uncontrolled discharge of dust.
"Take shower daily, wash hands frequently, keep the mouth and nose covered with a tissue or cloth when coughing or sneezing, disinfect shared surfaces, such as keyboards, telephones, door handles, remote controls etc, he advised.
These are some prime hygiene practices that everyone should follow to lead a healthy life.
Keeping the air clean
People tend to stay inside of the house, locking all the doors and windows in winter when it is cold.
Dr Lelin Chowdhury said, "Staying inside of the house breeds germs because the humidity is low which might allow bacteria to remain airborne."
Different experiments reveal that the novel coronavirus favours cold, weather particularly out of direct sunlight.
Locked indoor conditions are pretty favourable to viral stability in the winter so it is essential to get sun exposure in winter in the time of Covid-19 outbreak, the doctor said further.
