Help Yourself Stay Well: Try This
By Virginia Laird
Have you already begun thinking about how you will prevent the flu from taking over your home? Preparing now is the best way to help keep the germs away. While many will choose the flu shot as a helpful tool to prevent the illness, there are plenty who prefer to skip this step. Healthcare professionals admit there is nothing you can do to completely prevent this virus from welcoming itself into your home. However, healthy habits can help. A few you should consider including in your healthy living are:
- Make sleep a priority
- Choose healthy eating
- Stay home when you are ill
- Wash your hands plenty
Make Sleep a Priority
When it comes to staying healthy, experts admit that sleep can be a factor. While many would prefer to stay up late, it is not a healthy habit. Instead, research advises that the average adult should get at least six hours of uninterrupted sleep each night. This can mean that you should go to bed earlier than you prefer. However, if going to bed slightly early can help you stay well, it will be well worth it.
Choose Healthy Eating
Although eating healthy does not keep the flu germs away, it does boost the body's immune system which can help fight the germs off. For this reason, it is recommended that you follow a diet loaded with plenty of fruits and veggies. Making a healthy diet part of your routine can have other benefits as well, including weight management.
Stay Home When You Are Ill
One thing many do when they are ill is refuse to stay home. Getting out and about while you are sick can spread the germs you are carrying to whomever you come in contact with, including the elderly and small babies, and both may struggle to get well. While you are ill, you are also more vulnerable to catching other viruses and illnesses. Rather than putting your own health at risk, make sure you stay home when you are sick. While you may believe your boss will be upset, that won't happen. Instead, you will be thanked for not spreading the illness throughout the office.
Wash Your Hands Plenty
Keeping the flu away is tricky, but routine hand washing is helpful. Research indicates that washing less than seven times each day is not enough. You should wash after coming into contact with others, before handling food, after visiting the restroom, and many other times. When in doubt, wash your hands.
Now, before the flu season gets into full swing, is the time to begin making these habits part of your daily routine.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Richmond, Va.