7 Simple, Yet Effective Habits To Keep The Flu Away

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With the temperatures going up and down, most people are coming down with the flu. So how can you beef up your immunity and avoid catching that nasty virus? Here are 7 simple habits that could seem trivial but which could be your barrier against the bug.

1) Juice up on vitamins and minerals

One great way to keep your immunity up is by upping your intake of fruits and vegetables. These bounties of nature have great stores of vitamins and minerals which fight illness and keep you in top shape. Especially consider including garlic, turmeric, sweet potato, dark leafy greens, citrus foods, chicken soup, apples, etc. in your diet.

2) Lather, rinse, repeat

Keeping yourself and your hands germ-free is crucial when there is an infection in the air. Avoid touching your face and keep washing your hands after going to public places like banks, supermarkets, public transport etc. Pro tip? Always keep a bottle of hand sanitizer handy in case of emergencies. More importantly, wash your hand thoroughly for at least 15 seconds – that’s how long it takes to sing Happy Birthday twice! If you’re using sanitizer, rub it over your hands and cover all surfaces until completely dry – this should take around 20 seconds. Also remember that alcohol-based sanitizers do not kill all germs and bacteria, so rely on good old soap and water as far as possible.

3) An egg a day

It’s not so much an apple a day as an egg (or other sources of protein) that can help keep the doctor away. People whose diets are low in protein are more at risk from the flu. So eat those eggs and maybe add more cottage cheese, or meat, if you are a non-vegetarian. Lentils and cheese are also great sources of protein and make for healthy additions, as long as you’re not lactose intolerant.

4) Your boring routine can save the day

Perhaps most important is to maintain a healthy routine. Sleep on time, eat on time and make sure you get enough sunlight which is a great source of vitamin D and essential to boost immunity. Also, switch off all devices a few hours before going to bed so that the artificial light doesn’t interrupt your natural diurnal rhythm.

5) Work up a sweat

Exercise can bolster your immunity system by helping you sweat out toxins and flushing out bacteria from your lungs and airways. Whether it is hitting the treadmill or playing a sport, a session of sweating it out will go a long way in keeping you healthy. But remember to hydrate well afterwards and replenish the fluids you would have lost.

6) Cover up

When the weather is changing, keeping covered up can be tricky. Make sure to keep warm as the winter still hasn’t ended. In addition, covering your nose, eyes and mouth, especially out in public places where you may pick up an infection, is something you should keep in mind.

7) Keep calm and clean on

This tip is simple but crucial. Over and above keeping your hands sanitized, make sure you clean yourself thoroughly during your bath. Be careful to brush your teeth with care, as well. In addition, make sure everything around you is clean and don’t forget to sanitize your work surfaces regularly. It is especially noteworthy to ensure that your phone (which is exposed to many, many germs and infections daily) is also periodically sanitized.

Follow all these 7 tips and you’ll not only reduce your chances of catching the flu, but you’ll also be boosting your immunity and improving your overall health.

But wait – think you have the flu and not sure what to do?

If you’re experiencing flu symptoms including cough, cold, fever, chills, body ache, etc. it’s time to pay a visit to the doctor. Your doctor may suggest medications, or if necessary, he may ask you get a blood test or an X-ray. Word of advice – Remember to get a digital x-ray from a reputed centre that uses advanced technology. Getting a right quality scan is the best option for you.

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