a few tips for tackling the cold

Winter is coming… what can we do to fight the cold and stay healthy?

Here are a few tips for tackling the cold in a health-conscious way:

• Moderate the indoor temperature to not exceed 22° C – preferably between 18° and 20° C;
• Regulate the humidity in rooms by placing humidifiers on hot radiators or, in excessively damp environments or where the radiators are turned off, using a dehumidifier. This recommendation should be followed even more strictly if the rooms are occupied by someone with a respiratory condition such as asthma: dry air irritates the respiratory tract while excessively damp air encourages the growth of mould, which is dangerous if inhaled;
• Avoid sudden temperature swings between one environment and another, aiming to maintain a moderate and constant temperature throughout the house and taking care not to linger near a heat source just before going outside;
• Wear appropriate clothing: wool and silk have thermoregulatory properties and provide excellent breathability;
• Make sure that elderly people who are not self-sufficient are well covered: they are particularly vulnerable. Notify the relevant authorities if you know of anyone who is lonely or vulnerable, for whom the winter can be a dangerous trap;
• Favour hot foods and be sure to drink: liquids enable the body to purify itself naturally. Limit the consumption of alcohol, however, because – contrary to what might be imagined – they facilitate the loss of heat;
• Increase your consumption of foods high in vitamin C like citrus fruits, kiwis and green vegetables;
• Go for a walk of at least 30 minutes a day. This boosts the circulatory system and makes the immune defences more active.