Nobody likes being sick.
It’s horrible and the germs are everywhere and it can become quite costly when a bug goes through your whole family. There are simple little tricks that we can do on an everyday basis that can bring down your odds of catching a nasty flu or cold. Allergies play a huge part on our health during the cold winter months. While you can’t protect your children from viruses and germs while they are at school, we can do our best to make sure we reduce bacteria, dust, germs, and allergens that live in our home. Using products like the Filtrete Healthy Living Filter.
The Filtrete Healthy Living Filter features high performing electrostatic technology that proactively captures dust, bacteria, germs, viruses and allergens in your air. For maximum performance, change your filter every 90 days. These types of products can help you prepare the home for cold/flu season in your home and protect your family at a critical time of the year.
Learn other easy tricks that you can do on a daily basis that can help you ward off those nasty bugs.
1) Get plenty of rest – When you lack sleep your immune system drops and when your immune system drops you are more likely to get sick. Trying to get plenty of rest this day and age is a very hard thing to do but in the long run getting sick can cause you loss of work and valuable time. Try to get at least 8 hours of rest a night to keep your immune system up and running well.
2) Soap up – We were all learned at a very young age to wash our hands regularly. Sometime around the age of 9 I started slacking off and this is a definite no-no! Wash your hands as many times as you can. You touch a germ then scratch your nose or lip and it’s a done deal. You should try to always wash your hands in very warm water and use soap! Make sure you wash them well and scrub in between the fingers and up your arm a bit. We want to make sure and get rid of all the germs.
3) Use sanitizer – Sometimes there is no possible way to find a sink. Carry a bottle of sanitizer with you and use it frequently especially when you swipe your debit card at a machine (those buttons have tons of germs) or at the drive up at the bank (I’m sure there was someone there that morning with a virus)!! Sanitizer is not my favorite thing to use because it leaves my hands so dry but when you are in a pinch and you have no other options it’s a must.
4) Schedule your Doctor appointments early – This may seem a little silly but if you go early then you are a lot better off. A Doctors office is full of germs and the less people that have been there the less chance you have at coming in contact with a ton of germs. If you have an appointment at 8:30 am then there hasn’t been a ton of people come through yet, have an appointment at 4:40 in the afternoon and there is likely to have been a ton of sick people that have been in that room.
5) Get out in the sun – Grab what sunshine you can! Even a ten minute session in the sun can do a world of good. The sun gives you vitamin D which can reduce the risk of respiratory problems and give your immune system a boost!
6) Lower your stress level – This may be easier said than done but there are ways to lower your stress level and research indicates that people under a lot of stress suffer more respiratory infections. So how do you lower stress?? Sometimes you can’t get rid of the problems you face but you can change the way they affect you. Take deep breaths and stay calm. Remember that it may appear to be the worst thing you have every encountered but really in the whole scheme of things it just may take a little time to fix the problem and then your onto something else so try to not let yourself get so worked up about it.
7) Don’t touch your face – This may sound a little silly but the major entry point for a virus is through our eyes, nose and mouth. If you keep your hands from these areas you will have a much better chance of missing that flu bug.
8) Get your vitamin C – Sometimes in the winter it’s forgotten how good vitamin C is for you. I am not a big fan of vitamins so I drink a ton of orange juice and eat oranges when I can to try to keep myself healthy. There are tons of other foods that contain vitamin C, try eating strawberries, broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, kale or bell peppers. These are all good sources of vitamin C.
About the Filtrete Healthy Living Filter, MPR 1900
• Ideal for allergens and small particles like bacteria and virus.
• Captures up to 93 percent of large airborne particles, such as household dust, pollen, mold spores and
dust mite debris, from the air passing through the filter
• Captures 4X times more microscopic particles, such as smoke, smog, pet dander and particles that can
carry bacteria and viruses, than ordinary pleated filters*
• Last up to three months
• Find them at Lowe’s, Target, Walmart, Costco and your local hardware store; find a location near you
by visiting FindMyFiltreteFilter.com.
• MSRP: $19.99-$21.99
Get Social
• Facebook page: www.Facebook.com/Filtrete
• Twitter: @Filtrete
• You can register to receive seasonal e-newsletters featuring special offers, filter change reminders,
better home living tips and more by visiting our website, www.Filtrete.com.
Do you have any tips to avoid getting sick this winter?
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
Awesome list. I had a miserable cold last month and by some miracle, no one else in the house got it. I think it’s because I washed my hands SO much!
Michele says
That filter looks like something I could use considering all the allergies I have! Will be looking into it to see if it will fit a unit I have.
Aisha Kristine Chong says
Thanks for these tips its very helpful. I am quite vulnerable during the cold season as well.
Tess says
Thanks for the tips. They are all so true and effective!
Amber Edwards says
Oh we need to replace our filters! This one looks fantastic! I also need to work on getting out in the sun more…but it needs to shine first. Lots of snow storms here.
Casey says
These are excellent tips! I remember not knowing the importance of changing an air filter when I lived in my first apartment. When my parents suggested my roommate open it up and take a look, we were appalled at how DISGUSTING it was. No wonder we were sick all the time if we were breathing in all that gunk!
Melanie S. says
I keep telling my kids not to touch their faces all the time, but they do it anyway. I wish I could get them to listen! We use Filtrete, and it’s probably time to change the filter. Thanks for the reminder.
Pam says
I tell my kids all these tips and they still spend all winter being sick. I think it is the constant weather changes in our area.
Melanie says
Oh… I haven’t changed out filter in ages… That’s bad isn’t it? Thanks for this I’m going to go make sure it’s changed
Jennifer Williams says
Changing filters is one of the few things my husband is on top of when it comes to cleaning, he has it on his calendar and like clockwork they get done. Wish it was the same with cleaning his office.
Annemarie says
Thanks for the tips. Winter sickness are terrible. I will be doing these for sure!
marielle altenor says
we’ve all gotten sick twice already and we are only two weeks into December. These tips are great, getting some sun and vitamin c is what i’m missing
Pam says
It is that time of year again when colds and flu can wipe out entire classrooms at school. These are great tips to follow. Hand washing is so important before touching your face or food.
Tough Cookie Mommy says
These are some great tips. I’m actually getting over being sick as we speak. I try very hard to not come in contact with germs in my classroom since my students are always sick.
Lolo says
Thank you for reminding me, I need to put in a new filter.
Liz @ A Nut in a Nutshell says
I swear that the don’t touch your face methodology is what has kept me healthy through the years. I hardly ever get sick and I am so careful about not touching my face because I know those germs can easily find their way in if I do!
katherine says
These are great tips. Changing filters will always help you not get sick
Ashley Gill says
You know…. at our old house, my husband changed the air filter ever month or so… I dont think he has done that since we moved last February.. This post is coming at a perfect time! I will get him on that! Plus, I believe 100% that lower stress leads to healthier lives!
Melanie a/k/a CrazyMom says
Great tips.. changing the air filter is something I always forget… thanks for the reminder.. and I always tell my kids not to touch their face.. hand sanitizer is our friend… hope your family will stay well this Winter
MELISASource says
These are some very great tips! And yes indeed changing that home furnace filter is an absolute must!!
tony greene says
Home remedies always seem to do the trick for me and my family when we have colds.
Onica {MommyFactor} says
I haven’t heard of Filtrete Healthy Living Filter before but this product has lots of good benefits. I’m looking to avoid getting sick during winter s much as possible so any products that help are great!