During the transitional period of the season, most people would get sick with the flu. It’s therefore impossible to avoid getting harmful germs. For that reason, the only way to prevent getting the flu is to strengthen your immune system, so that your body will have protection against viruses.
Here are things you can do to prevent the flu:
- Wash Your Hands
One of the easiest ways to get infected by germs is touching anything that has the germs itself. Whether you are in a public space or at home, it’s better to be safe than sorry! Be careful to wash your hands with warm water and soap after touching commonly-touched surfaces. Lather the soap for at least 20 second, rinse under water, air dry or pat dry with a clean towel. Alternatively, you can also use an alcohol-based hand rub to clear out the germs in your hands.
- Get Enough Sleep
Having enough sleep will also help you reduce the chances of getting the viral disease. Why? Sleeping enough ensures that your immune system is working optimally and reducing chances of any form of illness. On average, an adult should get between 7 and 9 hours of sleep per night.
- Limit your Stress and Relax
Although it may not seem like it, but a calm mind can prevent you from getting the flu. According to research, people who report psychological stress are less likely to develop protective antibodies in response to the flu vaccine. This has been concluded after a 2009 review of 13 existing studies, which was published in Brain, Behavior, and Immunity.
- Avoid close contact.
Not only will you have to be careful with communal spaces that may be infested with germs, but be especially careful with people who may become sick with your germs. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, as any type of respiratory illnesses like respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), whooping cough, and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), are spread by cough, sneezing, or unclean hands.
- Eat healthy food
There are many ways to maintain your immune system from exercise to sleeping well. However that is not all, as you need to eat healthy food as well. Food can be considered to be the fuel to keep your body strong and immune to attacks of harmful germs and viruses. A strong immune system launches an attack on threats — such as flu viruses. Help to maintain your immune system by eating a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables.
- Exercise Regularly
Another way to help boost your immune system is to exercise regularly. Note that this should be done when you are experiencing symptoms above the neck like a runny nose or head cold. In fact, moderate exercise like taking a brisk walk can be helpful to fight the flu symptoms. Research has even confirmed that those who exercise five days or more a week are much less likely to succumb to a cold or flu than others who do not exercise.
During the flu season, it may seem impossible to avoid the onslaught of germs that surrounds us. However, that does not mean that you cannot prevent it from harming you by strengthening your immune system. For that reason, keeping your immune system strong during transitional season (when most people get sick) is paramount to protect you from the flu.
Do you have any other tips to prevent flu? Share your tips down below!
