Lander, PA - As cold and flu cases begin to rise across the region, practitioners at the Lander Hope Clinic in Lander, Pennsylvania, are reminding families that small steps can make a big difference when it comes to staying healthy this fall and winter.
 
“The biggest thing with cold and flu season, honestly, is to wash your hands,” said Jacquelyn Courim, Doctorate of Nursing Practice, FNP-C at Lander Hope Clinic. “Hand sanitizer works in a pinch, but soap and water work much better to kill germs. I advise everyone to use the proper methods. If you’re sneezing or coughing cover your mouth and nose and try to stay away from others if you do start to feel ill.”
 
Practitioners at the clinic note that the season brings added challenges as children return to school and stress levels rise for both students and parents, which can weaken immune systems. Getting enough sleep and rest is a key part of keeping the body strong. 
 
“Self-care is one of those terms that gets thrown around a lot and it gets scoffed at, but it really is very important to do some personal check-ins,” Courim explained. “It's important to check-in with yourself, to make sure that you are handling stress well, so your body can be at its best to fight the battles of immunity this winter. It is also crucial to stay hydrated and to get enough rest for your body to be able to fight illness.”
 
In addition to handwashing, stress management, and rest, health experts also recommend staying hydrated and eating nutrient-rich whole foods to give the immune system the best chance to fight off illness during the cold and flu season.
 
For more tips and tricks on how to stay healthy during cold and flu season, visit here.