Arm Yourself Against Winter Illness

Winter weather causes a multitude of health problems, but many of them can be avoided with low cost, preventative health care. Arm yourself against winter problems by stocking your home with healthy supplements to your daily routine.

Healthy Eating

A healthy body can fight off illness better than any other preventative plan. Load your daily meals with plenty of vegetables to add vitamins to your diet. If veggies make you turn up your nose, opt for vitamin supplements. Then, add an orange to your daily diet to boost vitamin C, and get enough exercise and sleep.

Healthy Breathing

Upper respiratory infections can be warded off with some precautions. Many believe that breathing hot air can loosen mucus, drain sinuses, and kill air borne bacteria. If your gym offers a sauna, take advantage of it. If you feel congestion rising, try an at home sauna. If not, hot air is easy to come by. Try investing in a vaporizer, one that costs less than $20. Sit in front of a vaporizer or a bowl of steaming water with a towel over your head to focus the hot air and healthy steam towards your lungs.

Night time sore throats are caused by breathing dry air. Try running a vaporizer, especially one with liquid Vicks. Another trick for healthier sleeping is to raise your head slightly to allow gravity to keep fluids in the proper places. A little traditional Vaporub on the throat and under the nose also helps to keep things clear while sleeping.

A healthy gargle each day also keeps things properly functioning in the back of the throat. Mix salt with warm water and gargle daily or after being in crowded, germ-filled areas. No need to purchase gargling medium; salt water works best.

Healthy Skin

Dry winter air wreaks havoc on skin. Household humidifiers add water to the air, keeping skin,lungs, and all mucus membranes healthier. The problem with humidifiers is that their maintenance can be pricey. A new humidifier is available which skips the need for filters and mildew prevention, and the extra cost should justify itself in a year's time. A cheaper, more traditional method of humidifying the air is to place a bowl of water on the radiator. Wet a towel and place it on top of the heating vent to add water to the air, making sure to replace the towel often.

Moisturizers are key in the winter skin game. However, the price tags on some of them are astronomical. Here's a place where you don't always get what you pay for. Check the labels and save money on generic moisturizers; look for shea butter or soy for deep penetration and oatmeal for soothing actions.

Moisturizers that contain alcohol can be counterproductive, and unnatural scents and colorings can irritate the skin. Natural moisturizers with natural ingredients are best. Suave offers a line of economical and highly effective moisturizers, including those for sensitive and extremely dry skin. Adding fish oil to your diet also increases your skin's natural oils and overall health, as does an increase in water intake.