How To Avoid Catching The Common Cold

Step 1: A healthy diet

Your immune system is boosted by eating a healthy, balanced diet. Take notice of the recommended daily amounts of vitamins and minerals, and make sure to hit as many of those targets as possible.

Step 2: Exercise

Regular exercise will help to boost your energy levels, and so your body's ability to fight infection. You can increase your daily amount of exercise by only changing small things in your daily routine, such as getting off the bus a few stops early, taking the stairs rather than the escalator, or riding a bike to work rather than driving.

Step 3: Sleep

Getting enough sleep is vital for your body to function properly. Although the amount of sleep someone needs varies from person to person, on average 8 hours of sleep a night is required to keep your body healthy.

Step 4: Avoid crowds

There are hundreds of different types of cold virus, so the more people you are around, the more likely you will come into contact with a virus that you have little or no immunity to, even if you have just recovered from a cold of your own.

Step 5: Stay away from people with colds

A cold virus is transferred from person to person by being carried on airborne droplets of moisture created by coughing or sneezing. Keeping away from a sick person will reduce your chances of breathing in the virus, or rubbing it into your eyes or nose via your hands. If you do come into contact with a cold sufferer, make sure to wash your hands as soon as possible.

Step 6: Keep rooms well aired

Breathing in the same air throughout the day increases your chances of breathing in someone else's cold virus. Keeping windows open and keeping fresh air moving around the room will help flush out infected air.

Step 7: Avoid air conditioning

Air conditioning units and central heating both have the effect of drying out the air around us. This also dries out the lining of the nose, which is an essential barrier against viruses entering our bodies.

Step 8: Supplements

There is anecdotal evidence that supplements such as extra Vitamin C help to boost the immune system, although it is not advised that you take large amounts of any one vitamin or herbal remedy. Check the advice on the box for recommended dosage levels.