While a flu infection can be dangerous, the vast majority of people who come down with the flu recover within a week or two.
Therefore isn’t it wise to focus on prevention as your first line of defense.
I suggest a natural two-pronged approach where the first prong is to take immune strengthening steps and the second prong is to minimize exposure to the flu virus or any other infection for that matter.
You would be wise to go beyond the guidelines issued by the United States Centers for Disease Control. Their advice is very basic at best.
I haven’t had a flu shot in more than 12 years. It’s not by luck or coincidence
that I haven’t gotten the flu in that period of time.
How to avoid getting the flu: 8 Lifestyle Strategies that work
These techniques will boost your immune system, fight off germs, and keep your body healthy...
1. Get enough sleep. Your immune system functions best when you are well rested. If you're body is fatigued, it simply won't be able to fight off the flu virus or any other infection for that matter.
2. Exercise regularly.
Not only will you look better but you’ll feel better because exercise helps
keep your immune system strong.
3. Ditch the Sugar. Ingesting too much sugar, especially the highly refined kind, can significantly impair your immune function, making you more susceptible to a flu infection.
4. Drink water. Keep your mucous membranes well-hydrated as this is a key to helping them fight off viruses. Flu viruses often attack via the respiratory system. So keep your lungs in tip-top shape by staying hydrated. Water Intake Guideline Formula: your weight in pounds divided by 2 = number of ounces to drink daily. Therefore a person weighing 140 pounds would strive for 70 ounces per day.
5. Address stress. How you handle stress is more important than the amount of stress. Not dealing with stressors has a highly negative impact on your overall health and, over time, it will make you much more susceptible to all types of disease including flu infection. Studies show that prolonged stress is at least partially responsible for 90% of all illness and disease.
Hint:
refer to #1 & #2 above as two excellent ways to reduce stress levels. I would be
remiss if I didn’t mention getting regular massage helps to reduce stress
hormone levels.
6. Wash your hands often
especially after you touch anything that others have touched recently (like
doorknobs, hand railings, land line telephones). Push doors open/closed
with your shoulder or the back of your hand. Press elevator buttons with your
knuckle. If you do have to sneeze and you don’t have a tissue, kindly sneeze
into your elbow not into your bare hands!
True Story:
I was once saw a cashier unleash a huge wet sneeze directly into her hands and
then continue to hand out her customer’s change. It hadn't dawned on her that
she might be spreading all matter or fresh germs. I got on another line!
7. Immune-boosting foods lifestyle should be a daily practice. A healthy diet, including a few proven immune-boosting foods, is one of the best ways to avoid catching the flu. Here are some of the best flu-fighting foods:
- Fresh, organically grown fruits and vegetables - Brightly colored fruits and vegetables are packed with healthy phytonutrients that can strengthen your immune system, lowering your susceptibility to the flu virus.
· Anti-oxidant loaded black currents and blueberries.
· vitamin C rich foods: cabbage, brussel sprouts, broccoli, bok choy (Chinese cabbage), peppers, kale, mustard greens
· raw or lightly-cooked garlic has strong antiviral properties
· Zinc loaded oysters, crimini mushrooms, raw endive, napa cabbage
- Green Tea - Like garlic, green tea has shown the ability to both kill viruses and to stimulate the immune system, especially when used daily. Aim to drink 3-6 cups daily. If you are caffeine-sensitive Green tea is available in a naturally decaffeinated form.
- Cashews
– are a good source of immune-boosting minerals like zinc, selenium, and iron,
cashew nuts are also quite high in protein. Consume these in moderate amounts as
these nuts are high in fat and calories. 1/3 cup equals 287 calories.
8. Don't smoke and avoid second-hand smoke. Smoke fumes dry out your nasal passages and paralyze cilia, the small hairs in your nose and lungs that help keep out viruses. Smokers have a much greater incidence of respiratory disease (colds, flu, pneumonia, sinusitis, etcetera) than non-smokers.
Simply put, your everyday lifestyle choices lead you to or lead you away from disease.
Which way are you headed?
"The Times They Are A Changing" - Bob Dylan Song
I've borrowed the title of this 1960's folk song to let you know there are a few changes in the wind here at Much Kneaded.
