How to stay well during flu season
November 07 2021 | News
The flu season is upon us, and the last thing you need is to have your nose running and a headache clouding your judgement. Not to mention, with the coronavirus still present, you don’t want to be afflicted by similar symptoms and have to go through the inconvenience of PCR tests.
You can hopefully avoid all that by taking the right precautions to stay safe through winter. Here’s how to stay well during flu season.
Follow a healthy diet
No, junk food doesn’t cause the flu, but following a non-healthy diet negatively affects your immune system. As a result, you’re more prone to catching the flu. To avoid this, try to include more veggies into your diet.
You should focus on greens like kale and broccoli, and oranges can go a long way in improving your immunity. Bananas are also among the healthiest fruits, and they’re low on calories, which is a bonus.
You can also try to indulge in some kind of physical activity, such as running or cycling. Exercise may be effective in pushing bacteria out of your lungs, reducing the chances of you getting sick.
Make sure your workplace is prepared
Right before the flu season starts, it’s best if you make sure your workplace is well-prepared against the flu. Start by finding out about the employer’s plans in the case of an outbreak. Most companies now have clear strategies to fight off the flu and coronavirus.
You can also ask if flu vaccinations are available in the workplace, or find a private GP that can provide you with the vaccination.
You may also make sure your workplace has enough paper towels, alcohol hand sanitisers, tissues, and other supplements for employees.
Moreover, you can constantly clean the objects and surfaces around you. These include phones, desks, keyboards, and even doorknobs. That way, you clean any bacteria away instantly.
Lastly, make sure to go home if you happen to feel sick. Staying at work while spreading the flu won’t do anybody any good.
Wash your hands frequently
You’ve probably seen ‘wash your hands’ signs everywhere after the breakout of coronavirus. Well, the signs aren’t wrong; washing your hands is one of the best ways to protect yourself against common colds.
You touch surfaces and shake hands with people all the time, and you never know what bacteria finds its way to your skin. If you touch your nose or mouth after coming in contact with a sick person, you’ll be prone to the flu as well.
That’s why you should wash your hands frequently, and for at least 20 seconds to make sure all the germs and bacteria are gone.
If you don’t always have access to soap and water, you can buy an alcoholic hand sanitiser. All you have to do is rub your hands using it. It’s preferred to do it after every time you come into contact with a surface frequently touched, including after shaking someone’s hands.
Keep the flu from spreading
The easiest way to stay well during flu season is to keep it from spreading. How? It’s simple; avoid close contact with people. If you know or suspect that someone is sick, avoid contact with them altogether.
If you yourself feel sick, don’t go to work and try not to come in contact with family members. On top of that, always cover your mouth with your hands when coughing and sneezing.
You can’t imagine how fast the flu spreads through sneezes, so try to protect yourself and the people around you by covering your mouth.
Sleep enough
While sleeping won’t protect you from the flu, the lack of it will negatively affect your immune system. If your body is fatigued, you can catch the flu with the least contact with a sick person. If you go to work every day or visit public places constantly, you’ll be at even more risk to catch it.
Not to mention, sleep deprivation can eventually lead to immunodeficiency, which affects your ability to fight off bacteria. Try to sleep for at least six or seven hours each night.
Make sure your child’s school is prepared
If you have children who are going to school, you need to make sure that they are prepared for the flu season. Firstly, ask about the school’s plans in the case of an outbreak. Many schools also offer flu vaccinations on-site.
Try to find out if the school has a solid cleaning system for the frequently touched surfaces. They should also provide alcohol hand sanitisers and tissues for students.
If you want, you can also ask how the school plans to separate the sick staff and students. Additionally, the school should have an absentee policy for students who catch the flu.
Conclusion
Protecting yourself against the flu is easy once you know what you should do. Always make sure to clean your hands, and try to keep a distance between you and surrounding people. You never know who’s sick, and precaution is always better than treatment.