The Season's the Reason: Five for Fighting the Flu

The season is the reason... to be healthy! Come fall, come winter, come the cold winds that will get you good. It is a common belief that cold weather is what makes us sick, but what actually makes us sick is having to run indoors because of the weather, thereby exposing us to more viruses that have an easier way of moving about in warmth. Because we would rather not have you suffer while stuffing your stockings for this season, we wish you well with 5 key suggestions with aims to help you on your merry way.

Flu shots – Most of them are free (check hospitals and local pharmacies), and can be one of the best ways of protecting yourself. There is, however, controversy surrounding this first one and it’s because their help in your fight against viruses of the season isn’t a sure one. It might actually make you sick immediately as you are injected with a tiny dose of what’s been going around (or what they think is) so that your body can figure out how to fight it off. In the case that you do become sick, at least you’ll have conquered that specific virus by the end of it and won’t have to deal with it again for a while, so long as you are careful.

Maintain health – While you should practice good health habits on the daily, you should be on high alert around flu and cold season just in case. Make sure you get a reasonable amount of sleep, eat with keeping the doctor away in mind, drink plenty of fluids (water and OJ), and stay active. Load up on vitamin C supplements; there is a huge payoff, trust us. Again, bundle up so you don’t have to turn up the heat indoors all day so those viruses have less of a place to go. Hot soup and beverages can also keep you warm internally and open up those sinuses!

Mind yourself – Whether you’ve already caught the bug or could possibly catch it in the near future, it’s always best to protect yourself by keeping good hygiene. For example, washing your hands before and after meals or encounters with people are very important because viruses can be spread by touch. Hand sanitizers or cleansing wipes on the go can help with this.

Mind others – Remember to cover your cough with either your sleeve or a tissue. If you accidentally cough into your hands, which a lot of us do from time to time, try not to shake hands with anyone until you can disinfect yourself and the surfaces you may have touched afterwards. Save hugs and kisses for when you are healthier; it really is the thought that counts.

Think positive – Sometimes you can trick your body into thinking it is sick. If you remain positive and wish for the best, you can will your body into fighting off incoming or outgoing viruses much better. We couldn’t agree more that laughter is the best medicine, so keep smiling that smile! You are much stronger than you think.