Flu seasons can be scary for some people more than others, especially if your body is comprised. Fortunately, there are things you can do better equip your body to handle the increased amount of infections and germs in the environment. Try these 7 different techniques to help you stay healthy during flu season!
1. Wash Your Hands with Proper Technique
Washing your hands with technique is an important part of staying healthy during flu season. Proper handwashing technique will help prevent the transfer of germs from a public surface into your body. Take the time to scrub your hands with soap and water for around 15 seconds. If you’re in a public restroom, use paper towel to shut the faucet off and avoid getting your hands dirty again. Anytime you come home from a public place, sneeze or open public doors you should take the time to wash your hands.
2. Avoid Touching Your Face
Touching your face is one of the quickest methods of introducing a virus into your body. Germs are able to live on hard surfaces for up to 8 hours. If you touch your face after studying at the library or touching the doors at school, you create a chance to transfer the virus into your body. If you have long nails, they can trap dirt and grime where the germs can be hiding. Remember to avoid touching your face and don’t bit your nails during flu season.
3. Disinfect Public Surfaces
Before studying at the library, using a public computer or sharing any physical items, take the time to wipe down the surface with disinfectant wipes. If you work in a call center, it’s especially important to sanitize your headset, and keyboard before going to work. Keeping hand sanitizer on hand is also an excellent way to keep germs under control. Any time you use a shared item or surface remember to take the time to disinfect.
4. Increase Your Protein
Foods high in protein are excellent for helping your body build up immune cells. Try and include good sources of protein in your diet such as nuts, lentils, beans, and eggs. Many of these also have magnesium and zinc which are excellent for fighting infections.
5. Strengthen Your Body
Even if you don’t feel like you have the energy, but exercising is one of the best ways to keep illnesses under control. Simple activities like going for a run, doing yoga, or even just walking will help strengthen your body. Physical activity will help you flush bacteria out of your lungs which will reduce your chances of getting a cold or flu. You can also visit an immunization clinic to receive a booster against the flu.
6. Make Sure You Get Enough Sleep
Whenever you’re not getting enough sleep, your body is going to be more vulnerable to germs and infections. Your body is going to do most of its repair work at night while you’re asleep. Getting the proper amount of rest for your body will help you function at a high level. Sleep is when your body creates protective substances that keep inflammation and infections under control.
7. Find Healthy Ways to Manage Stress
Finding ways to manage stress is incredibly important for staying healthy during flu season. When you’re stressed, your body produces additional adrenalin and cortisol which makes it hard to relax. If your body is combatting the effects of stress, it’s going to have a hard time keeping the flu virus under control as well. Stress puts creates a lot of damage in your body which makes you more susceptible to illness. Take the time to find healthy activities to help relieve your stress.
