Simple Habits to Outsmart Cold Season


Cold and flu season is coming. Are you ready?

Now that it’s October, the days are getting shorter, and the air is getting colder. It’s also the time of year for our two least favourite visitors to start arriving—no, not Aunt Edna and Uncle Steve—we’re talking about cold and flu.

Cold and flu season in Canada tends to arrive at some point in Fall and stick around until Spring of the following year. While some sniffles during this period may be unavoidable, particularly if you have young children at home, there are a number of things you can do to safeguard yourself from getting sick.

Here’s a look at 5 tried-and-true steps to help you prep for cold and flu season:

  1. Take a hands-on approach. Your hands can build, comfort, carry and help you express yourself. Unfortunately, they can also make you sick by transmitting cold and flu germs. Regular hand washing can help stop the spread of germs, and keeping your hands away from your face can prevent cold viruses from entering your system through your eyes, nose, and mouth.
  2. Support your immune system. When it comes to supplements for immune support, not all are created equal. That’s why it’s important to choose the right one for you. Ester-C® 1000 mg is a great option for immune support. It’s different than other forms of vitamin C (ascorbic acid). Ester-C® uses a proprietary process where ascorbic acid is buffered with calcium. The result: calcium ascorbate with its numerous benefits: it’s less acidic, better absorbed and more bioavailable than ascorbic acid1; and, best of all, it’s been shown to last in the cells of the immune system for up to 24 hours2, giving you around the clock support.
  3. Keep it clean. Cold and flu viruses can survive outside the body, particularly on hard surfaces such as metal, plastic and wood. Maintaining a clean environment by regularly disinfecting household surfaces reduces the risk of infection. Don’t stop at the table and countertops—make sure to clean your keyboards, computer mouse, tablets and phones as well.
  4. Sleep tight. With the holidays right around the corner, this can be a hectic time of year, but it’s important not to let your sleep patterns suffer. When you become tired and run down, your immune system can weaken, leaving you more susceptible to illness. Adults should aim for seven to eight hours of sleep each night as part of a healthy lifestyle.
  5. Keep your germs to yourself. Sharing is caring, except when it comes to germs. If you get sick, stay home from work or school and minimize your interactions with others. Cough or sneeze into a tissue if you have one, or into your elbow if you don’t. Wash your hands often. Avoid sharing utensils, beverages and other items that may unwittingly pass your germs on to others.
References
1. Gruenwald J, Graubaum H-J, Busch R, Bentley C. Safety and Tolerance of Ester-C® Compared with Regular Ascorbic Acid. Advances in Therapy Journal, 2006; 23(1); 171-178.
2. Mitmesser S, Combs M, Evans M. Determinations of plasma and leukocyte ascorbate concentrations in a randomized, double-blind trial. FASEB Journal. 2014 Apr; vol 28 no 1 supplement 830.3.
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About the Author: Sisu

“Sisu”

Sisu has been crafting nutritional supplements for more than 35 years, helping Canadians live a healthy, happy and balanced life. With their unique, non-GMO formulations, guaranteed potency and purity, patented ingredients like Ester-C®, and 100% recyclable cobalt blue bottles, Sisu has bridged the gap between cutting-edge science and ethical manufacturing.