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Home attire -

Change your clothes as soon as you enter your home. The clothes you wear outside can pick up bacteria and viruses. You can divide your wardrobe into outdoor clothes and at-home clothes!

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Home attire -

This will stop any potential nasties on your outdoor clothes being spread around your home. It's nice to have some cosy loungewear or pajamas to change into during the colder months anyway.

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Disinfect -

It's also a good idea to disinfect your phone and any other items you touched while outside. We touch our phones constantly and they're a hotbed for germs!

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Get vaccinated -

While waiting for the Covid-19 vaccine, it's still important to get the normal winter flu shot, particularly for the high-risk groups. These include young children, the elderly, and pregnant women.

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Get vaccinated -

Reducing the number of people catching the flu reduces the strain on the health care system, which is likely to be stretched thin this winter.

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Important fact - Unfortunately, it is possible to have the flu and Covid-19 at the same time! Researchers are still studying how common this is.

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Reduce spreading - Viruses like Covid-19 are spread through mucus from coughing and sneezing. If you're sneezing from a common head cold, you may be spreading something more dangerous without knowing it. Getting the flu vaccination is one important step to reduce these risks.

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Don't skip your checkup - Avoiding visiting the doctor for fear of catching another illness can put your health at risk.

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Don't skip your checkup -

It's important not to miss regular screenings that can catch a health problem early when it's most treatable.

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Build immunity -

The best way to strengthen your immune system is through diet and exercise. Research shows that regularly increasing your heart rate through exercise improves immunity.

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Build immunity -

Getting a wide variety of nutrients in your diet is also important for a strong immune system. Increasing your intake of various fruits, vegetables, and grains is the best way to start.

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Key vitamins - Whether it's through diet or supplements, vitamin D, vitamin C, and zinc are all important for the immune system to work its best.

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Get enough sleep -

Sufficient rest is also important for our overall health. Somewhere between eight to 10 hours is ideal for most people. The healthier your body, the stronger it'll be to fight off viruses.

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Social bubble -

Try to narrow down your social circle to a few friends or family members.

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Gatherings -

Seeing the same small group of people exposes you to less potential carriers, and also reduces the risk of you spreading illnesses if you catch something.

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Dinner party rules -

Even within this group, it's important to be careful. If you're having a meal with friends or family, avoid shared dishes or anything that's eaten with hands.

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Dangerous dipping -

Definitely think twice before sharing chips and dips or popcorn in front of the TV!

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Coughing rules -

Most importantly, if you need to cough or sneeze, cover your face with your upper arm instead of your hands!

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Set your boundaries -

If you're meeting up with people outside your household, it doesn't hurt to discuss your comfort levels in regard to contact in advance.

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Communication -

If you're going to a friend's house, they may feel totally comfortable going maskless and giving you a big hug when you walk in! If that's not okay with you, don't be shy to gently communicate that.

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Be skeptical -

Since the start of the pandemic, there has been a great deal of misinformation about how to protect against and treat coronavirus. Be skeptical about what you hear and read, and do some research using reliable sources like the WHO or the CDC.

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Basic cleaning methods - The best way to keep your home germ-free is to wipe down your surfaces and then disinfect with a standard cleaning product. No fancy machines needed!

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Make a plan -

Winter usually means more time indoors, and this year that'll mean more time in isolation for a lot of people. Taking care of your mental health is just as important as your physical health, so make a plan to keep yourself well.

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Things to look forward to -

Try to think of some cosy home activities you can look forward to. For example, research some new recipes you'd like to try or get ingredients for baking.

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Warm and cosy -

Make sure your home is cosy and comforting. If you need a heater, get it before the real winter hits! You can also add some nice blankets and pillows, some fairy lights, and some candles–anything that will make it a soothing environment.

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Exercise - Moving your body is one of the best ways to reduce anxiety and depression. Plus, it's free and you can do it anywhere! Have some kind of exercise routine, whether it's at home or outside.

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Hold on -

This winter may be tougher than most, but we're all in the same boat and we'll get through it together. Stay connected, stay safe, and stay strong!

(Harvard Health) (CDC) (Health24) (FDA)

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What next? - If you're making your plan for an awesome cosy winter at home, check out these great online tools that make staying in a little easier.

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