{"id":9750,"date":"2025-12-17T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-12-17T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/?p=9750"},"modified":"2025-12-17T21:34:38","modified_gmt":"2025-12-17T21:34:38","slug":"5-simple-steps-to-follow-if-you-dont-want-to-be-ill-for-christmas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/2025\/12\/17\/5-simple-steps-to-follow-if-you-dont-want-to-be-ill-for-christmas\/","title":{"rendered":"5 simple steps to follow if you don\u2019t want to be ill for Christmas"},"content":{"rendered":"
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No one wants to be sick over the holidays (Picture: Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Everywhere you turn, someone is coughing and sneezing<\/a> at the moment. <\/p>\n

To make matters worse, there\u2019s the supposed \u2018super flu\u2019<\/a> surge to contend with, and it\u2019s the end of the year, so many of us will be feeling pretty run down after a busy 12 months.<\/p>\n

But if you\u2019re desperate to try and avoid getting sick ahead of Christmas<\/a>, there are a few steps you can take to reduce the risk, according to a doctor.<\/p>\n

Dr Suzanne Wylie, a GP and medical advisor for IQdoctor<\/a>, has shared five top tips with Metro<\/strong> that she claims can make a \u2018meaningful difference\u2019 to your health<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Here’s what she recommends… <\/p>\n

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It seems like everyone is full of cold and flu at the moment… (Picture: Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Vitamins, vitamins, vitamins <\/strong><\/h2>\n

I\u2019m sorry to say that there\u2019s no one single \u2018superfood\u2019 that you can pile your plate with for every meal to stave off sickness.<\/p>\n

That said, the food you eat does impact your health, so Dr Wylie advises following a balanced diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables, as well as wholegrains and protein, as these support your body’s \u2018normal immune function\u2019.<\/p>\n

Vitamin C, Vitamin D and Zinc also play a role in immune health, so if your diet is lacking in any of these, she says it could be \u2018reasonable\u2019 to start taking a standard daily supplement – particularly, Vitamin D during the gloomy winter months.<\/p>\n

However, be sure to read the packaging carefully, as Dr Wylie doesn\u2019t recommend taking a high-dose supplement. These are unlikely to provide any extra \u2018protection\u2019 and sometimes can cause harm. <\/p>\n

\u2018More is not always better,\u2019 she warns.<\/p>\n

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Is your diet lacking in anything? (Picture: Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Avoid alcohol<\/strong><\/h2>\n

While you\u2019re thinking about the food<\/a> you\u2019re putting in your body, you\u2019ll also want to examine what you\u2019re drinking, as staying hydrated is crucial.<\/p>\n

Drink plenty of water and fluids, but you might want to moderate your alcohol <\/a>intake. \u2018Tis the season for a festive tipple, but that Christmas cocktail or glass of fizz could end up disrupting your sleep, which in turn can impact your immune responses. <\/p>\n

Good sleep strengthens your immune system, helping your body to fight off illness and infections, so it\u2019s really important to be catching those zzz\u2019s if you don\u2019t want to get sick. <\/p>\n

You\u2019ll also want to ensure you\u2019re not getting too stressed out and resting enough during the day as well.<\/p>\n

Dr Wylie adds: \u2018Poor sleep<\/a> and chronic stress are associated with a higher risk of infection, so prioritising good sleep hygiene<\/a>, taking breaks and allowing time to recover if you feel run down are genuinely important.\u2019<\/p>\n

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As a loyal Metro reader, we want to make sure you never miss our stories when searching for your news. Whether it is the latest politics news explained, a GameCentral scoop or Emmerdale spoilers. Click here<\/a> and tick Metro.co.uk to ensure you see stories from us first in Google Search.<\/p>\n

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@metrouk<\/a> <\/p>\n

The H3N2 flu virus left an average of 2,660 patients in hospital each day last week. NHS bosses fear there is \u2018still no flu peak in sight\u2019 and warned staff are \u2018being pushed to their limit\u2019. Flu cases in hospital are the highest ever for this time of year and up 55 per cent on last week.<\/p>\n

\u266c vertigo – insensible & \u00e9nouement<\/a> <\/section>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

Get a flu jab <\/strong><\/h2>\n

According to the doc, there\u2019s no tablet that you can take when you feel the sniffles coming on that\u2019ll reliably prevent colds or flu. <\/p>\n

\u2018Over-the-counter remedies may help relieve symptoms if you do become unwell, but they don\u2019t stop viruses taking hold,\u2019 she explains. <\/p>\n

\u2018The most effective medical protection remains vaccination: having your flu jab if you\u2019re eligible, and ensuring COVID vaccinations are up to date, significantly reduces the risk of severe illness and helps protect others as well.\u2019<\/p>\n

Wear a mask <\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Wearing a mask could help (Picture: Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

And speaking of COVID, it might be time to dig out your old face masks from the pandemic – or buy a new one.<\/p>\n

Dr Wylie claims they \u2018do work\u2019 when used \u2018properly\u2019 as they reduce the spread of respiratory droplets and \u2018can lower the risk of catching a virus and passing one on\u2019.<\/p>\n

The mask needs to cover your nose and mouth with no gaps, and you should wash your hands before and after touching it. <\/p>\n

It\u2019s not a \u2018perfect\u2019 solution, but wearing a well-fitting mask on public transport or while out doing your Christmas shopping in busy spaces adds a \u2018sensible additional layer of protection\u2019 during peak respiratory virus season.<\/p>\n

And if you’re still not convinced, it might help to know that the British Medical Journal recently reviewed the science<\/a> and also agreed that masks help.<\/p>\n

They said: \u2018In community settings, any mask use is protective during epidemics, especially if used early, when combined with hand hygiene, and if wearers are compliant.<\/p>\n

\u2018Community use of N95 respirators is more protective than surgical masks, which are more protective than cloth masks, but even cloth masks provide some protection.\u2019<\/p>\n

They added that \u2018extensive evidence\u2019 gathered during the Covid-19<\/a> pandemic supports the use of masks during periods of high epidemic activity of any respiratory illness, such as flu<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Practice good Tube hygiene<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Don’t stand too close to people on the Tube (Picture: Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As well as wearing a mask on the Tube, you might want to take several other precautions when using trains and buses, like washing your hands or using alcohol hand sanitiser after touching handrails and other shared surfaces.<\/p>\n

Avoid touching your face where possible, and also consider where you\u2019re standing\/sitting. Ideally, you\u2019d want to keep some distance from others when you can.<\/p>\n

\u2018Good ventilation matters,\u2019 points out Dr Wylie. \u2018Standing near open doors or vents can help.\u2019<\/p>\n

And if you\u2019re feeling unwell at all, it would be considerate to avoid travelling if you can, so you don\u2019t make others sick. <\/p>\n

She adds: \u2018Taken together, these sensible, evidence-based steps give you the best chance of staying well and enjoying the festive period in good health.\u2019<\/p>\n

Do you have a story to share?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n


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