The cold and flu season is here, are you ready to fight off the inevitable viruses that come with the season?
Above all, the best thing you can do is create an inhospitable environment for the cold and flu. Here are a few cold and flu prevention tips I use to protect myself every year.
Cold and Flu Prevention Tips 2018
Tip #1. Wash Your Hands
Hygiene becomes increasingly important during the cold and flu season. Regular hand-washing is key to staving off the cold and flu. Flu viruses live on surfaces like door handles, telephones, and steering wheels for up to 24 hours. If you touch those surfaces and then touch your eyes, nose, mouth, or face you could wind up with a severe case of the flu.
Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds. Get under your nails and in between fingers. All you need is warm, soapy water. Antibacterial soap isn’t necessary.
Tip #2. Continue to Exercise
The next best flu season 2018 tip is to exercise! Regular exercise boosts circulation and blood flow. This means those wonderful bits and pieces of your immune system are circulated more easily, which helps your body spot and kill illnesses before they become a problem.
Exercising at least 30 minutes a day is enough to boost your immune system. This includes walking, swimming, or running for 30 minutes. Yoga is also a great addition to your exercise regime to increase flexibility.
Tip #3. Eat Immune System Boosting Foods
Did you know that what you eat can hurt or help your immune system? Protein is one of those foods. Protein has proven to be an immune-boosting food product. It boosts the body’s ability to make immune cells which fight off infection. Think nuts, eggs, fish, seeds, beans, and tofu.
Also, be sure to fill up your diet with foods high in antioxidants (fruits and veggies), fiber, and specific foods like ginger, garlic, and onions.
Tip #4. Meditate & Reduce Stress
That’s right, meditation can help you prevent flu and colds this season. Meditation is thought to be one of the best ways to reduce acute respiratory infections. Try meditating for at least 10 minutes per day. This has proven to reduce your stress levels.
As we all know, stress contributes to immune issues. You can support your immune system by taking more time for self-care, learning how to process emotions, and engaging in relaxing physical activities like Tai-Chi, Yoga, and walking.
Bonus Tip!
Perhaps the most surprising cold and flu prevention tip is to receive a lymphatic massage!
Your lymphatic system is a companion to your circulatory system. It is responsible for delivering nutrition to cells and to flush waste from the body. Taking care of this system is therefore critical.
Check out my blog post for Preparing Your Lymph System for the Holidays (The Ultimate Checklist), to see if you’re helping or hurting this system during the holidays/flu season.
Take responsibility of your immune system by booking an appointment for a lymphatic massage this flu season.
Reach out to me to book an appointment today!