We all aim to keep our families as healthy as possible at all times. For parents, this is especially important, as children are often more susceptible to obtaining certain problematic health conditions due to the fact that their immune systems are still in development.
Unfortunately, during the winter months of the year, protecting our families against certain health ailments become especially difficult. Even fighting cracked skin or chapped lips can be an issue, let alone the common cold, for example, that poses as a significant threat during the winter months; thus making it harder for someone to keep their family in top shape and healthy at all times. Luckily, for the skin issues, you can use solutions like these. For tips on preventing the cold, read below:
Yes, there is a very good chance that you or someone in your family may develop a common cold during this upcoming winter month. This, however, does not mean you cannot exert some effort from your side in order to provide your family protection, minimize the risk of obtaining such a virus or be ready to act upon the development of a common cold should someone in your family catch it during the winter holidays.
Scientists Confirmed Winter Months To Contribute To The Widespread Prevalence Of The Common Cold
We have all heard it before be cold during the winter months and you are sure to catch a cold. This belief has been passed down from one generation to another. We often heard our parents tell us to keep warm and not go out into the cold weather without dressing in warmer clothes. A lot of people may think of this request as unnecessary, until they actually go out into the cold weather and wake up the next morning feeling like they were hit by a bus. This is something millions of people have experienced before but scientific research was only recently conducted to provide a more in-depth overview of why we are more prone to catching a cold or developing flu during the winter months.
WebMD explains that a recent study monitored the effect of internal body temperature on the immune system of laboratory rats. They exposed the laboratory rats to a range of different temperatures and then monitored the effects that these temperature settings had on the immune systems of these rats. What they found provided evidence that our parents were correct all along when exposed to colder temperatures, the immune system of these rats failed to work effectively in preventing the replication of viruses in the body more specifically, it was found that the immune system fails to effectively fight against the virus pathogens that cause the common cold, known as rhinovirus.
While further research is still needed by scientific experts, especially amongst human subjects, in order to provide further evidence of how exactly the cold weather of the winter tend to affect our immune systems and make us more likely to catch a cold, this particular study has marked the first scientific evidence to be made available that backs up the age-old recommendation of keeping warm during winter.
Protecting Your Family During The Upcoming Winter Holidays
Even though it has now been officially confirmed that colder temperatures, which we are often exposed to when winter arrives, causes our immune system to become less effective in fighting the virus that causes the common cold, as well as other harmful pathogens, it is important to note that there are some strategies that can be utilized for extra protection. In this post, we would like to share nine excellent methods in which a person can aid their family during the winter months in order to reduce their risk of becoming sick.
1. Keep The House Warm At All Times
We have already discussed the fact that scientists have recently confirmed that the colder temperatures of winter cause an increase in the risk of catching a cold; thus it should come as no surprise that the first tip we would like to offer is to heat up the entire house. If you have a fireplace, then get it going in the afternoon and make sure it is able to heat up the entire house. If not, then you may opt for heaters in rooms that are especially colder during the winter months.
2. Make Sure No Members Of The Family Are Not Exposed To The Cold Winter Weather
In addition to keeping the house warm, it is also important to consider the body temperature of every individual that is part of your family. Remember that keeping the house warm will not keep your family members warm when they go outside. If there are no heaters installed in rooms, then they will be exposed to colder temperatures when they go to bed. Thus, make sure you supply your family with hot blankets and adequate levels of bedding when they go to sleep. You should also make sure every member of your family puts on a warm coat before they leave the house.
3. Start The Day With Sex
Starting the day with some morning sex sounds quite amazing. Luckily, starting the day with sex will not only let you start the day in a good mood, but will also have a positive impact on your immune system and, since sex is a physical activity, it will also help to heat up your body. According to Bustle, recent studies have suggested that sexual intercourse causes levels of Immunoglobulin A in the body to increase significantly. In turn, this improves the immune system’s ability to fight against the viruses that cause the common cold.
4. Adopt An Immune-Boosting Diet
The food we eat has a major impact on our immune system and the body’s ability to fight against pathogenic substances. Refined sugars, unhealthy fats, fast foods and many other choices cause inflammation and make it more difficult for the immune system to function properly. By adopting certain immune-boosting foods in your family’s diet during winter, you can strengthen their immune system and reduce their risk of catching a cold. The Healthy Chef recommends adding more foods that are high in Vitamin C, with a primary focus on citrus fruits. Ginger, garlic and turmeric are also good for boosting the immune system.
5. Achieve A Higher Level Of All-Around Hygiene
Poor hygiene makes it easier for bacteria and viruses to enter the body and cause illness. Maintaining proper hygiene throughout the entire home will help to eliminate pathogenic organisms from home and further reduce the risk of your family catching the common cold. Make sure an anti-bacterial hand sanitizer is available for the entire family and place an emphasis on the fact that everyone needs to wash their hands frequently. Also make sure the cleaning detergents used in your home have anti-bacterial properties.
6. Ensure All Family Members Are Physically Active
According to Medline Plus, physical exercise helps to flush bacteria from certain parts of the body, while also causing certain changes in the body’s white blood cells and antibodies. This, in turn, can help to boost the body’s immune system and make it harder for pathogenic organisms to infiltrate the body. While it may seem a little daunting to get out of bed for some exercise on a cold winter’s day, make sure your entire family keeps active during these cold months. Physical activity will also help to warm them up.
7. Warm Him Up Before “Getting It On”
While we have suggested starting the day with sex for multiple reasons, there is one particular factor that we do need to discuss when it comes to sexual intercourse during winter. According to a report by Men’s Health, researches have established that the male penis tend to shrink by as much as 50% in length, as well as up to 30% in girth, when exposed to temperatures that are colder than 60 degrees. While the cold weather in winter may not affect the male orgasm, it might make a man smaller “down below”. Thus, it is important to warm him up before having sex to minimize the effects winter may have on his penis size.
8. If You Or Another Family Member Smoke, Try To “Kick The Bud”
Even though the general population is aware of the fact that smoking is extremely bad for the body, millions of people continue to smoke on a daily basis. It is essential to realize the fact that smoking has an adverse effect on the body’s immune system. Smoking is not only bad for the person who smokes, but also has many adverse effects on those around a person that smokes. If you or one of your family members smoke, then try to stop or get them to stop. This will not only improve the immunity of the family, but also provide numerous other potential benefits.
9. Make Sleep A Priority For The Entire Family
Sleep is an important part of our everyday lives, but, unfortunately, millions of people suffer from sleep deprivation. Poor sleep habits cause mental and physical problems, as well as reduces the immune system’s ability to adequately fight against viruses and bacteria. This, in turn, causes an increased risk of becoming sick, especially in winter. Make sure you and the rest of your family get enough sleep during winter to maintain a healthy body and mind, as well as to keep your immune systems working.
Conclusion
Protecting your family against diseases, viruses and other health ailments is most likely your number one priority in life, but the cold weather we are exposed to during the winter months make it much harder to effectively maintain a healthy family. Recent studies have suggested our previous generations were correct all along the cold weather of winter does make our immune systems weaker, and puts us at a higher risk of developing a common cold. Even though winter poses more risks than the summer months when it comes to protecting our family’s wellbeing, there are some effective steps that can be taken in order to offer our families better protection and to make sure they stay healthy during the entire winter.
Author:
Brian Adam
This is Brian Adam, a Health Writer, Researcher, and Advisor with a passion for Men’s Health and Wellness, places a strong emphasis on Diet as well, believing that the Combination of Exercise, a Healthy Diet, and a Positive Mindset is the best way to achieve one’s Full Potential. He writes on most of the topics related to Healthcare, Men’s Health, Women’s Health, etc. Each and every piece of content he produces is completely researched. Say Hi to Brian on Twitter and Facebook.
