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.
