With autumn comes cosy nights in, crunchy leaves on the ground, and a surprising uptake in the number of cinnamon-based treats! But autumn also marks the start of cold and flu season. With social distancing measures relaxed, more people can spend time inside together. This means more quality time with loved ones, but it also means that colds, viruses, and the flu can spread more effectively.
Catching a cold this autumn may seem guaranteed, but there are ways to avoid it. Let’s look at some of the best ways to stay healthy this autumn in Longfield, Dartford.
How to Stay Healthy in Autumn in Longfield, Dartford
Here are some ways to stay healthy in Longfield this year:
Maintain COVID hygiene
Wash your hands with soap and warm water or sanitise your hands with gel before and after eating. If you’re in public and don’t have access to hand sanitiser or soap and water, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth until you can clean your hands.
If you are looking to travel, we also offer PCR testing to get you where you need to go safely:
Get Tested
Make sure you’re up to date with all your vaccinations
If you have an underlying health condition or are over 65, you can get a free flu jab with the NHS. This year, anyone over the age of 50 can get a free flu jab. You can book your flu jab with Hodgson Pharmacy here:
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Eat plenty of fresh produce, especially cruciferous vegetables
Our diet plays a huge role in our physical health and certain foods can even help support our immune systems. Avoid relying on ready meals for dinners and try new recipes with fresh fruit and vegetables.
Keep the surfaces in your home nice and clean
Many viruses can survive on certain surfaces for several days, so it’s worth sanitising and disinfecting high traffic areas whenever you can.
Get the Vitamin B12 injection
Vitamin B12 is vital in the composition of DNA, red blood cell production, and brain development and function. We can find vitamin B12 in animal products like meat, eggs, and milk, so many people who follow a vegetarian or vegan diet choose to take B12 supplements or have a B12 injection.
Those who don’t have enough B12 in their diet may experience tiredness and fatigue, mood swings, poor memory, and even decreased mental function, so this should be a key part of your routine if your diet lacks B12. We offer the Vitamin B12 injection in-store; you can find out more here:
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Get plenty of vitamin D
We are 70 percent less likely to catch a cold when our bodies have enough vitamin D. During the summertime, we can easily get enough of the sunshine vitamin, but as the days get shorter, we spend more time indoors and are less likely to have enough vitamin D. Many people take supplements or eat foods fortified with vitamin D to tackle this, and it can even help keep away the winter blues.
Regardless of the weather, it is important that you wear sunscreen all year round when you’re heading outside. You can find out more in our previous blog post:
Stop smoking
If you catch a cold or the flu as a smoker, you’re more likely to experience severe symptoms and a prolonged recovery. This is because smoking reduces the immune system’s effectiveness against exogenous threats, particularly when it comes to bacterial and viral infections. Now is a great time to give up smoking and get your health back on track, and if you need support, we’re here to help:
Quit Smoking For Good
Stay healthy this Autumn in Longfield, Dartford
If you want to stay healthy this autumn in Longfield, Dartford, Hodgson Pharmacy has everything you need, from blood testing to flu vaccinations. To view our full range of services, please visit the following link:
If you are looking to stay healthy this season, don’t delay –
This blog post was written on behalf of Hodgson Pharmacy by Pharmacy Mentor.
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