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There are still six more weeks of winter, so you know the cold season is in full swing. People pull all kinds of tricks out of their cold-fighting arsenals: some use vitamins, others use teas, and a few even head into hibernation until spring.
You may not realize that the best protection against catching the common cold may be as simple as changing one little habit: washing your hands.
Sound simple? Sure; but unfortunately, many people don’t wash their hands as often as they should. This means that germs that cause the common cold gather on all kinds of public surfaces that you use during the day. Touching your mouth, nose, or eyes after coming in contact with these surfaces can transmit these germs right into your body. Then it’s up to your immune system to try to fight them off.
Regular, proper hand washing with soap and water kills these germs and prevents colds and other illnesses from spreading. And it’s so easy! Just use warm water to lather your hands with soap for 15 to 20 seconds. Then rinse your hands thoroughly under warm running water. Don’t forget to use a paper towel to turn off the faucet and open the door—you don’t want to pick up any new germs.
- Note: Despite what most people think, antibacterial soaps don’t offer any extra protection and may actually lead to more resistant strains of bacteria, so just stick with basic soap and warm water. It’s also a great idea to get in the habit of carrying alcohol-based hand sanitizer with you for when a sink isn’t available.
Give your immune system a break this cold season. Washing your hands frequently throughout the day is your best bet at keeping those sniffly, sneezy, coughy germs at bay.
