Helping You Fight the Flu
The flu season is in full throttle, and has proven deadly for some. New Jersey has had the highest number of flu cases in 15 years. In fact, between February 3-10, more than 4,000 cases were reported across the state and more than 14,000 people have been diagnosed since October, 2017, including three children who died.
Whether you've gotten it already and recovered, or are in the process of dodging it, give your immune system a boost to prevent what could be an uphill battle back to health.
Without the ability to fight viruses, bacteria, and harmful environmental conditions, among other things, we are much more susceptible to illness. But there are numerous things you can do to stay healthy. Taking good care of yourself requires practicing mindfulness, not just during flu season, but every day all year long. In the rush of daily life it's easy to forget to drink enough water, take vitamins, and try not to get by on minimal sleep. But it's all important.
Of course, fighting the germs we're faced with just about everywhere we go, it makes sense to avoid close contact with anyone who is sick, has been sick or feels like they may be getting sick. Stay home when you are sick and rest, and avoid going back out into the world until you are completely better. Keep your children home from school when they are sick as well. Wear a mask if your children are severely sick and not good about covering their coughs and sneezes.
When it comes to taking care of you, remember that you can't help anyone else if you're not well. Being healthy and staying that way requires some thought and attention. Here's what you can do:
- Keep a clean house. Disinfect your home and workspace, not only when someone is sick, but before and after you've had visitors.
- Dress for the season. In the colder months, it helps to keep your head and neck covered. Dress in layers to avoid getting overheated.
- Avoid touching your face. It's an easy way for germs to make their way into your body.
- Wash your hands. And after you've washed them for 20 seconds with soap and warm water, use hand sanitizer. If you can't wash your hands as often as you should, at least keep a small bottle of hand sanitizer on your person so you can use it as often as you like. You can spread germs by touching things that others have contaminated.
- Get vaccinated. While the flu shot may not be completely fool-proof, it still serves as some solid protection. If you do happen to get the flu even after getting the shot, you are less likely to suffer through the full-blown version.
- Eat immune-system boosting food. There are ways to feed yourself that keep your body strong rather than in a compromised state that comes with not getting the proper nourishment. Too much processed food, excess sugar, food you may be allergic to such as wheat and dairy, and empty calories in general, make your body more susceptible to illness. Keep your gut healthy with probiotics and by eating as much fresh and local organic food as possible. Take supplements such as vitamins C, A, and E, all found in the rainbow of produce colors. Increase your energy level and boost your metabolism with B vitamins, like vitamin B6, vitamin B12, folic acid, thiamine.
- Stay hydrated. Think of your body as a vessel that can get clogged with toxins. Although our bodies are 70-80% water, we still need to flush the toxins out by drinking plenty of water. Dehydration throws your body into crisis-mode and can cause headaches, body aches, dizziness, rapid heartbeat, dry skin, a lack of energy and more. Once you're thirsty, there's a chance you're already somewhat dehydrated.
- Sleep well. While sleep isn't always easy to come by, it seems that there are times we need a little extra. Listen to your body. Rest when you need to rest. Sleep is restorative and if you're getting enough, you're less likely to have exhaustion become an illness.
- Be physically active. Exercise has negative connotations. While physical challenge is beneficial, not everyone has the capacity for strenuous work-outs. And that's OK. It's not about how many crunches and pushups you do or how many miles you can run at a clip. The idea is to keep your body moving, to avoid sluggishness. Your body craves action and revolts when it doesn't get it. An active body has lubricated joints, a capable heart, bones protected by strong muscles, blood that circulates, natural painkillers flowing (endorphins), a more peaceful mindset, the ability to sleep at night, and the list goes on. Activity that involves fun and laughter, like dancing, counts as exercise!
- Maintain a healthy mind. Managing stress levels can make the difference between health and disease. Stress is a fact of life that has the capacity to paralyze and kill you. However, you can live a life of high-drama (hello, doctors, lawyers, teachers, parents) and manage it all perfectly well. It's all about balance. Taking time to relax, have fun, do things you love, and spend time with people you love increases your quality of life. Meditation, which doesn't have to involve sitting in Lotus position, (although that works too) is no more complicated than giving your mind a rest from excess thought. It can be accomplished in many different ways, including spending time in nature, walking, dancing, knitting, gardening, or whatever it takes for you to let go of the pressures of the material world. A relaxed body and mind is less susceptible to illness.
Click here to find out how, for some, optimal health is a mission that can turn into a long and winding road. Learn about one person's journey on a path to health by way of B-12 in this EDGE Magazine article.
Contact Information
Doug Harris
908-994-5138
dharris@trinitas.org
Yolanda Fleming
908-994-5139
Yfleming@trinitas.org