Winter can be a challenging time for many people. Beyond the bustle of coordinating family visits and finding the perfect gifts for the holidays, there’s the eternal struggle of staying healthy. It’s incredibly common for respiratory illnesses, colds, and the flu to circulate this time of year for a variety of reasons: Chilly weather can suppress our immune response, it has us staying indoors more, and we’re spending more time with our loved ones (and strangers, if you prefer to do your shopping in person). This all causes an increase in the potential for getting sick—and if you have kids in school, you’ve likely been picking up whatever your children’s classmates are passing around! 

As a family-owned business run by medical practitioners, we at LIVation are quite familiar with the hazards of cold weather and illness. However, there are a few tips and tricks we swear by to help get through the season unscathed—and if you can’t dodge getting sick, we’ve got the tools you need to feel better faster. Keep reading for your winter survival guide.

Nutrition plays an important role in boosting immunity

Sweet treats and more fattening foods are everywhere this time of year. While we’re notsuggesting you don’t allow yourself to indulge a little bit, we do want to remind you that nutrition is directly related to immunity. Our microbiome, a vast “community” of microbes living in and on our bodies (but especially the gut), is made up of bacteria that supports your immune system as well as the production of antimicrobial proteins. Eating a diet rich in high-fiber and plants (including fruits, veggies, and legumes) help your microbiome function at its best. Studies show that diets that are heavy in processed foods and refined sugars disrupt gut health and cause inflammation, all weakening your immune system.

While refined sugars like holiday cookies may be hard to avoid, try to increase your intake of probiotic- and prebiotic-rich foods (probiotics are the healthy microbes living in your gut; prebiotics are the food they need to thrive). A great source of probiotics are fermented foods like kefir and yogurt (so long as it has live, active cultures), kimchi, sauerkraut, and kombucha, plus over-the-counter probiotic supplements, especially those which need to be refrigerated as they contain live cultures. You can get prebiotics into your diet through alliums like onions, garlic, scallions, and leeks as well as bananas and sea vegetables, but just eating a well-rounded diet with plenty of greens, fruit, beans, and whole grains will give your body what it needs. 

If you have trouble controlling your food cravings, we understand—and we’re here to help. Learn more about our   weight loss shots   here, which can help curb your cravings while making you feel fuller longer.

Proper hygiene can help prevent illness

Though this sounds like common sense, it can be easy to fall into bad habits, especially during such a busy time of year. When washing your hands, lather up for 20 seconds, using warm water. Keep a bottle of hand sanitizer on you to keep clean when you don’t have access to a sink. Of course, cover your mouth when sneezing and coughing; when possible, keep your distance from those who are sick (and if you’re sick, stay home from work if your job allows so you can avoid contaminating others). Wipe down surfaces with disinfecting wipes, especially when traveling—a quick swipe of your tray table, arm rests, and windows can go a long way when flying—and avoid touching your face. You should also remember to disinfect your devices! People rarely cleanse their cell phones, tablets, computer keyboards, and remote controls, which can hold onto a lot of grime. You can use a simple alcohol wipe to do this without risk of damaging your screens.

Stress management helps stave off health risks

OK, this may be easier said than done. Even the most well-meaning family and friends can cause stress levels to spike, as can planning holiday travel, events, and gift shopping. The truth is that constant stress can increase your body’s inflammation levels and weaken your immune system. When your body believes that it’s under attack from stressors, even mental ones, it can make it harder for it to fight off infections, making you more susceptible to illness and leading to difficulty recovering. Finding ways to reduce your stress levels can go a long way towards keeping you healthy during cold and flu season and beyond. Practicing yoga and meditation can be very helpful, as is following a consistent workout routine. Do your best not to rely on an evening cocktail or glass of wine to calm your nerves—alcohol consumption, especially at high amounts, can also increase your risk of illness.

Staying hydrated is important

Drinking plenty of water is important year round, but it’s especially key during cold and flu season. Hydrating helps circulate fluids more freely through the body, helping white blood cells reach illness-causing bacteria to destroy them before they can proliferate and make you sicker. Increased water intake moistens the mucus membranes of your nasal lining, making it easier for it `to capture harmful bacteria before it enters your body. Drinking water also helps regulate your body temperature, helping to lower your risk of fever, as well as flushing out your body’s toxins.

If you’re prone to dehydration, we recommend adding electrolytes into your water, which will help your cells maintain fluid balance. At LIVation in Madison, CT, we offer LMNT electrolyte drink mixes in a variety of delicious flavors to make it easier to stay hydrated. If you’re especially dehydrated, come in and book our   Replenish IV therapy, which is a simple saline infusion loaded with electrolytes. It will rapidly restore your body’s hydration levels.

Beyond helping you save money by reducing your food costs, semaglutide helps curb your cravings and control “food noise.” If you’re someone that’s always thinking about your next meal, can’t resist a midnight snack, or often crave a glass of wine, you might find that semaglutide helps silence those thoughts. We’ve also heard from patients who have said they no longer get “hangry” like they used to.

IV infusions support your immune system

Whether you’re trying to prevent illness or feel better when you’re already sick, IV therapy will go a long way towards supporting your immune system’s function. We’re known throughout Connecticut for our IV infusion therapy, which you can have administered at our Madison location or wherever you are thanks to our mobile concierge service (limited availability, contact us to learn more). We can treat you with our   Guardian   infusion, which features vitamin C, a blend of B vitamins, and zinc to support your immune system, our   Stomach Flu   therapy, blended with B vitamins, vitamin C, and medications to reduce indigestion and nausea, or Hangover, which is the Myers’ cocktail (magnesium, B vitamins, vitamin C, and calcium) plus added anti-nausea medication and a prescription-strength NSAID to help get you back on your feet. We also provide bespoke blends of vitamins, nutrients, and medications to target your specific needs and concerns. 

Ready to learn more about how LIVation can help you stay healthy during cold and flu season?   Contact us   today to get started—our friendly team of medical professionals are standing by and ready to help!