Cold and flu season is upon us yet again (does it ever really end??). If you, like me, absolutely cannot stand getting sick in any way, shape, or form, then you’ve come to the right place.
Hoping to minimize the potential of getting sick this year, Reddit user Shinobi347 recently asked, “People who rarely get sick: what’s your secret?” Whether you’re an immunity pro or a Sickly Sally (IDK, just roll with me here), there’s plenty of advice in these responses to help keep you well this fall and winter.
Note: Nobody here is a doctor, including me, if you can believe. So like, talk to your doc if you get sick or need legit medical advice. We’re just friendly strangers here!
1. “Stop biting your nails. I can confirm, as a former nail-biter, that after I was forced to stop due to a dental surgery, I get sick significantly less now! You’re chewing on bacteria and germs.”
Peopleimages / Getty Images
2. “Walking outside regularly is what stopped me from getting sick all the time.”
—u/Wallmassage
3. “I hold my breath when people sneeze or cough near me. I then exhale as strongly as possible after I reach ‘cleaner’ air. No idea if there’s any science behind this.”
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“There is. When you sneeze, you immediately release aerosols in a 20-foot radius. So if you breathe in at that moment, you’ll get a larger concentration of bacteria and/or virus than you would’ve if you held your breath for a moment and walked out of the blast zone. When the aerosols have more time to dilute, and you breathe in a lower concentration of infectious microbes, your immune system has an easier time dealing with them before they can overwhelm it.”
4. “Apparently, laughter boosts your immune system, and I laugh a lot.”
5. “Treat sleep like it’s a competitive sport.”
Halfpoint Images / Getty Images
—u/uwuvxdh
“I’m convinced this is why I rarely get sick. I started prioritizing sleep, eight hours a night, and went from always sick to never sick. I work in a hospital, workout daily, and don’t wash my hands excessively.”
—u/teamrocket
“This is the sleep routine I use to get my nightly eight/nine hours. I go to bed early and at a similar time each night. I take antidepressants (Lexapro) because a couple of years ago, I used to wake up constantly and struggled with such bad anxiety I’d wake up sweating and lie awake for hours. I eat dinner before 7 p.m. and no caffeine after 4 p.m. I get in bed by 8 p.m. and listen to an audiobook or watch mini docs on YouTube, and then fall asleep with Sleep Stories for adults or white noise. Sleeping well has been a choice, and it’s fucking hard sometimes, but ultimately worth its weight in gold.”
6. “Sanitize your phone!! I have an iPhone, and I just turn it off and wipe it down with a Clorox wipe. That is one of their recommended techniques. You can also spray disinfectant on a cloth until it’s damp and wipe it down. I just find the wipe to be super easy and effective.”
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7. “I eat fresh garlic every day!”
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—u/Saragmata
8. “I used to get sick all the time. For the past year, I have been working on strengthening my gut biome — probiotics introduced regularly and prebiotics (fiber) every day. I also cut down on ultra-processed foods and sugar, and started making my own sauerkraut and ginger sodas, too. They are such a hit!”
9. “Elderberry. Elderberry. Elderberry.”
—u/jennabeean
10. “Avoid negativity. Reduce your stress and work towards regulating your nervous system.”
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–u/flounder42
“Learn the difference between stressing about something and caring about something. Stop stressing over everything, and only care about the things that need to be cared about.”
—u/belak69
11. “Wash your damn hands.”
12. “I used to get sick every year without fail. Then COVID happened, and I never gave up wearing a mask when I went out in public. I literally can’t remember the last time I was sick.”
Vera Vita / Getty Images
—u/werepope
13. “Eat clean, fresh, healthy foods. Maintaining a balanced diet with fresh fruit and veggies does wonders for your immune system and health in general. If I eat junk for days, I feel low on energy and usually get sick in no time.”
14. “Do not touch your face, especially your eyes, nose, and mouth, unless your hands have been washed.”
—u/agenaille1
15. “I get whatever vaccines are recommended. It seems to help”.
Fluxfactory / Getty Images
“I didn’t get my flu shot one year, and I spent three days that winter sicker than I’ve ever been in my life. Full fever, hallucinating, phlegm so sticky and thick it actually blocked my airway, and sleeping around the clock. I felt like I was knocking on death’s door, not gonna lie. I line up every year to get my flu vaccine now. Vaccines are amazing.”
16. “Take vitamin C and D3.”
—u/1890rafaella
17. “I never get sick because I’m never around kids or people with kids.”
Ryanjlane / Getty Images
“Don’t have kids…not joking. I used to never get sick. Ever. Now? Enter: toddler. I’ve been sick once a month for as long as my son has been alive. 😭”
18. “Don’t touch the door handles in public spaces. I use my sleeve or a tissue or whatever. I swear I haven’t been sick since I started doing this during the pandemic.”
—u/VailsMom
19. And finally, “I listen to my fucking body. Next time you feel yourself about to get sick (you know the feeling), go drink a shitload of water, pound a Gatorade, eat a quality meal with lean protein, and take some NyQuil to knock yourself out at 7 p.m. You’ll be amazed how you feel in the morning.”
Uwe Krejci / Getty Images
—u/FormerStuff
Do you have any tips or tricks for staying healthy that you absolutely swear by? Tell me about them in the comments or the anonymous form below! Your response may be featured in an upcoming BuzzFeed article!
Note: Responses have been edited for length/clarity.
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