Don't nag your doctor for antibiotics for your cough and cold, but do socialise and exercise to ward off the winter blues.
That's the advice from Australian experts as the cold and dark season officially hits the nation.
During an online media briefing, they urged Australians to get vaccinated against the flu, especially those at risk of flu complications including pregnant women and people over 65.
Other prevention measures include regularly washing your hands, keeping them away from your face and staying away from school or work if you're sick, said infectious diseases expert Associate Professor Rhonda Stuart from Monash University.
But she warned people against urging doctors to prescribe antibiotics for colds or coughs, which are usually due to viruses and do not respond to those drugs.
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The virus will go by itself and antibiotics should be saved for bacterial infections.
Global experts have warned that urgent action needs to be taken as the problem of resistance to antibiotics caused by an over-reliance on them in recent decades worsens.
Some people get the "winter blues" when they have lowered mood and energy levels, said Professor Greg Murray, Head of Psychological Sciences and Statistics at Swinburne University.
"Often people notice changes around the change from daylight saving," he said.
"They will get a little bit of a sense of dread when they lose that hour of daylight.
"So we would encourage them to use that as a trigger for putting some things in place that should help them ride through winter without it being too much of a burden."
They should make an effort to keep up their social life.
"Plan social events while they still have got the energy .. and slot in some social events they can't get out of."
People often slip into less exercise when the days get shorter and the weather is inclement, but Prof Murray said that too can be planned for.
For example, take out a winter gym membership and commit to going with a friend.
People should also realise that their productivity and satisfaction levels may decrease during winter so "we should cut ourselves a bit of slack", he said.
