If you feel like everyone is sick right now, you’re right. We’re in the middle of cold and flu season and it seems like half the people we know are coming down with something or just getting over it. New research finds that six in 10 people get sick every winter, but that doesn’t mean they’re feeling tiptop the rest of the time.
According to a new survey of 2-thousand adults across the country, the average American is only “perfectly healthy” for half the month (16 days).
- The average person feels unwell five days during the winter, even when they’re not truly sick.
- Body aches (28%), fatigue (26%), feeling “off” (23%), and a runny nose (21%) are the four horsemen of a subpar day ahead.
- If people feel sluggish (21%), weak (20%) or have an upset stomach (17%), those are also warning signs they’re facing a “down” day.
- Just the thought of dealing with these days has 51% of those polled “dreading” getting sick this season.
- While winter is the time of year people have the most unwell days, many would prefer dealing with these symptoms in the fall and winter over ruining their sunny, warm days.
- To help stay healthy, 54% prioritize creating a wellness routine at the beginning of the year, and those who do say it makes them feel strong (68%) and ready to take on the day (78%).
- More than three-quarters (77%) believe balance is the key because their mental and physical wellness are connected.
- Nearly two-thirds (62%) are making wellness a priority this season more than ever before, but 59% admit it’s harder to stick to the “healthy” parts of their routine when they’re sick.
- Overall, 45% are trying to listen to what their body needs, including letting their body rest, but 46% say they feel guilty for taking recovery time if they’re not completely sick.
- When the first symptoms creep up, respondents try to sleep as much as possible (38%), take over-the-counter meds to relieve symptoms (32%), take a warm shower to wash the day away (22%), and nourish their body (16%).
Source: Talker