The season is upon us and they’re out there just waiting to come to your house for a visit. No, not the in-laws again – with colder weather comes lower resistance and the dreaded flu bug. This isn’t about a few runny noses and a couple of scratchy throats. The flu is a serious illness that puts more than 200,000 people in the hospital annually, and rumour has it there is enough flu to go around. The question is how are you going to keep those nasty bugs from putting their feet up on your coffee table?
Did You Just Sneeze? Hands are the primary culprits in the spread of flu. You sneeze into your hands or rub your eyes, and it’s as if the bugs just waved down a taxicab. From your hands to someone’s dinner plate, the bathroom doorknob – you are even spreading the bug when you hook up Rover’s leash. Get in the habit of washing your hands often or carry an alcohol-based sanitizer wherever you go. Get some extra travel-sized bottles for everyone in your life, too. The family that sanitizes together ... You get the idea.
Excuse Me: Did You Just Sneeze? There is one in every group – that person that brings flu with them wherever they go. They are at school, work and even the grocery store. People have busy lives and getting sick is inconvenient. When you see someone sneeze, you should politely take a few steps back and avoid them like the flu.
Focus on the Green Phytochemicals are what gives plants that burst of colour. They are also potent flu-fighting ninjas. Make sure each meal contains vivid colour to ensure you get a dose of nature’s natural medicine – decorate your plates with lots of red, dark green and yellow.
Remember What Mom Said Now is a good time to do all those things Mom told you to do and give your body what it needs to stay healthy. Create an exercise plan that includes both cardio and strength training.
- Stop smoking – it just drags down your immune system.
- Get plenty of sleep.
- Find ways to deal with stress.
- Drink lots of water.
- Manage your diet.
- Wear clean underwear because you might get into an accident instead of catching the flu.