It’s always a bit nerve racking when cold and flu season sneaks up on us. There are so many dangers and culprits that can cause us to become ill. It is essential to take the necessary steps to keep the viruses and illnesses at bay. Washing hands, covering our mouth, and sanitizing public and shared items are just a few tips to keep us safe during this time of year. However, there may come the time when we or someone we know falls prey to those nasty bugs floating around.
6 Tips to Make it Through Flu Season
The flu season will be over soon, but we still have to do our best to stay healthy and avoid getting sick. Here are a few tips that I follow to keep me and my loved ones healthy during the winter months, the cold and flu season and all year long as well.
- Balanced Diet
A balanced diet is a smart habit to develop, not only to keep healthy, but to maintain a good weight as well. Our bodies are machines and need plenty of fuel to function efficiently. Maintaining a diet with plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits gives our bodies the vitamins and nutrients we need to boost our immune system. A strong immune system needs the proper foods to be able to fight off those nasty colds and flus that float around during different times of the year. Some foods that are proven to boost the immune system, for example, are yogurt, oats, chicken soup, beef and even mushrooms. Knowing what we are taking into our bodies and how it is being used arms us with a strong immune system that will protect against illness.
- Stay Hydrated
Along with a balanced diet, drinking plenty of water and fluids keeps our bodies free of toxins and oxygenates the blood. I helps muscles and organs to function more efficiently; expelling waste through the kidneys and allows blood cells to properly use nutrients consumed. It keeps the eyes and mouth clean by repelling dirt, bacteria, and parasites. It helps the digestive system to digest the food from the balanced diet we mentioned earlier. Drinking 8 to 10 glasses of water a day keeps our body and immune system on track and keeps chronic ailments and viruses at bay.
- Stay Active: Exercise
Exercise has benefits all around; getting in shape, getting stronger and maintaining a good weight. The list of benefits is exponential and we can add “boosting the immune system” to that list also. It boosts the cells in your body assigned to attack bacteria. When we exercise, those cells work faster and more effectively to get rid of bacteria that has the potential to make us sick. I enjoy exercising and find that it enhances my mood each morning. My favorite exercises are core strengthening using a stability ball, morning yoga to improve my breathing and running about 2 miles 3-4 times a week. So, let’s get up, shape up and kick those colds to the curb!
- Wash, Wash, Wash
An obvious step to take to avoid getting sick is to wash, wash and wash! Different types of germs and bacteria all have different life spans and can hang out on everyday items. Door knobs, bathroom sinks, and toilets are just a few threats of contamination, but there are other places that bacteria likes to linger. Public water fountains, elevators, ATMs and exercise equipment are not so obvious culprits. The point is that washing hands regularly and properly with soap and water greatly reduces the chance of getting sick from the nasty bacteria. I use the “Happy Birthday” tune to time about a 20-30 second hand wash. In that short time, bacteria is washed away and loses the chance to bring you down with an illness.
- Avoid Sharing
The public places we visit can be bacterial danger zones, but what about our homes? Even if you are a relative cleaning nut like me, those sneaky little buggers can still lurk in our humble abodes. One way to avoid getting sick is to keep from sharing personal items. I live in a home with my sister, her husband and four children. We try not to share towels, cups, utensils or hygiene items, like toothbrushes. Another good habit I practice is sanitizing the kid’s toys and I boil toothbrushes or replace them altogether. I make sure to wash fruits before serving. I use a disinfecting spray on doorknobs, lights switches and fridge doors. Use tissues for sneezes and stop those cold viruses from floating around looking for the next victim.
- Stay Well Rested
All this prevention sets up a busy schedule which leads me to the next tip: REST. Like I said before, our bodies are machines and as they use fuel to function, they need to rest to revamp and rejuvenate. Lack of sleep has a direct effect on our immune system and hinders it from functioning correctly. When our immune system is not at full defense, cold and flu are free to take up shop in the body. Without rest, those proteins and cells that keep viruses at bay become unable to defend against foreign invaders. I enjoy practicing meditation at night to slow my mind and calm my body. When the mind and body is mellow, sleep is likely to follow. Let’s slow down, breath and get rest so our body can recharge and take care of business.
These tips help keep me and my family healthy during the cold and flu season. But even with the best prevention methods, illness can still rear its ugly head. Luckily, Vick’s Nyquil and Dayquil Sever is at your local Wal-Mart to help fight off the virus and alleviate the uncomfortable symptoms like nasal/sinus congestion, headaches, and sore throat that can accompany. Coughing, fever and aches can keep us up at night, but with a dose of Nyquil Severe, it can relieve some of the discomfort so we can get that needed rest.
I just recently fell ill with a stubborn cold that took me out of commission. I went to Wal-Mart and purchased Vick’s Dayquil Severe to help get rid of the symptoms and with Dayquil’s maximum strength non-drowsy formula, it kept me productive during my day. As I mentioned before, I live in a full house with my family so going to the store can be a sizeable chore. But when I went to Wal-Mart I was able to get medicine, tissues, water, chicken soup, and some other things to help me fight off that cold. The convenience of a one stop shop to gear up is welcome in our home.
Using the Nyquil with the Dayquil, I was able to kick that cold in just a couple days, whereas I usually stay down for about a week. Thank you, Vick’s! In closing, I want to say good luck to all of you and your families and if those nasty buggers find you, head to Wal-Mart and stock up on the affordable medicine and products that I can say worked for me.
Luckily, a trip to Wal-Mart or visit their website at Walmart.com and a purchase of Vick’s Nyquil and Dayquil Severe can help us fight off the uncomfortable and debilitating symptoms.
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