Tips to stay safe this spooky season!

Fight the cold and flu this spooky season!

Influenza (flu) is a contagious respiratory disease that can affect anyone, but some groups are at a higher risk of developing severe flu-like symptoms that result in hospitalization. Every year, the CDC recommends everyone 6 months or older get the flu shot or nasal spray by the end of the month to protect themselves and others from flu viruses.

Let’s learn how we can stay safe this cold and flu season!

Healthy Habits to practice today!

While there’s no evidence that the flu shot or will protect you from COVID-19, it will help ease the worry of developing severe flu-like symptoms that may lead to hospitalizations. As well as preserve the resources needed for the safety and protection of our healthcare workers. Here are some other ways you can stay safe this season, in addition to wearing a mask and social distancing:

• Limit or avoid contact with individuals that are experiencing symptoms, as well as staying home if you’re not feeling well.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use a 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your face as much as possible.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects often.
• Cover your mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing.
• Practice healthy habits like getting enough sleep, managing stress, and eating a balanced diet.

Habits to help boost immunity

Practicing healthy habits can help increase your body’s natural immunity. Here are some recommendations to give you a boost!

• Get a good night’s rest. Poor sleep quality is related to a higher susceptibility to getting sick. Aim for at least 7 hours a night for adults, 8-10 for teens and younger children, and 14 hours for infants!
• Eat whole foods. No, not the specialty store! Eating whole foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes are packed with fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants. Antioxidants help decrease inflammation caused by free radicals, which leads to certain cancers, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s.
• Get moving! Getting 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week can help reduce inflammation and help immune cell production. Studies even show it may help boost vaccine effectiveness in individuals with compromised immune systems.
• Take a breath. Managing stress levels can help boost immune health. Prolonged stress levels increase inflammation and reduce immune cell function.

Tips to fight cold and flu symptoms

Let’s say, hypothetically, you or someone you know start to get those pesky cold symptoms. Chills, fever, sore throat, body aches, the whole packaged deal. What do you do? Well, here are some helpful tips to get you on the road to recovery!

• Stay hydrated! Your body uses a lot of water when fighting off a fever, which can lead to dehydration. Water or electrolyte-rich beverages that are low in sugar can help you replenish and rehydrate.
• Soothe your sore throat. A warm salt water gargle can help you find some relief, along with honey (only recommended for children and adults older than a year old) and lozenges (recommended for children and adults older than six years old).
• Sip that tea (or other warm liquids). Sipping on warm liquids like broth-based soups, herbal tea, or warm water with lemon is not only soothing – they can also help loosen congestion.
• Breathe it in. Breathing in the steam from a bowl of hot water or shower can help loosen congestion and make breathing easier. You can even take a warm bath with Epsom salt to help with body aches!

Be a Kindness Shield!

Stay safe this season by practicing healthy habits and arming yourself with a flu shot! You can get a flu shot or nasal spray at your local pharmacy or public health department. Click here to find your nearest location!

If you cannot receive the flu shot, keep practicing healthy habits, and encourage those around you to stay safe. After all, we’re in this together!