Survive the flu season with these simple tips

Flu season is upon us, meaning, Big Pharma is once again trying make a bang for their buck by issuing unnecessary vaccines. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) admitted that last year’s flu vaccine was ineffective. Is there really any reason to believe that this year’s will be any better?

Fortunately, you don’t have to resort to vaccines to combat the flu. Here are some useful tips on how to survive this year’s flu season:

1. Manage stress: Your immune system is weaker whenever you are stressed. This makes your body susceptible to all sorts of diseases, including the flu and cold. Try to get a handle on your problems by developing a positive outlook and a good sense of humor. Stop worrying about the unimportant things. Invest your time and energy in people and activities you care about.

2. Wash your hands: You can catch a cold or flu by touching a surface that has been contaminated by a virus, like a phone, doorknob or book. You can also become infected by inhaling particles in the air projected by a cough or sneeze. To reduce your chances of catching the flu, remember to wash your hands with plain liquid soap. Make sure to keep your hands out of your eyes, nose and mouth. Liquid soap is better than bar soap, since the latter harbors germs.

3. Get enough sleep: Your body needs energy in order to keep the flu at bay, so make sure to get plenty of rest. Don’t overwork yourself. Try taking a day off from your usual activities. It will help speed up the healing process and potentially protect your friends and co-workers from catching the flu.

4. Keep your house clean: The environment you choose to live in impacts your health. You can choose to live in a house ridden with germs, or you can choose to live in a house free of germs. Use a disinfectant, like Lysol, to clean kitchen counters, doorknobs, staircase railings and virtually anything else you touch. Change your pillowcases and hand towels often, as well.

5. Gargle: Gargling is an easy way to help soothe a sore throat. Mix one-half teaspoon of salt with a cup of warm water to make a soothing solution. Brewed tea with an astringent also works well.

6. Steam up: If your sinuses are clogged, steam can temporarily relieve clogged nasal passages and help you breathe easier. It can also prevent your nasal passages from becoming dry and irritated, which could cause swelling and infection. Either jump in the shower, plug in a humidifier or cover your head with a steamed towel.

7. Sip on some warm soup: One study found that chicken soup diluted 200 times could still interfere with cold-causing substances. Other studies have shown that chicken soup can also help break up congestion and thin out mucous secretions.

8. Keep your nose clean: A nasal wash or nasal irrigation is a great way to combat the flu. It cleanses your sinuses of bacteria and helps thwart sinus infections.

9. Throw your handkerchief to the curve: Reusable handkerchieves are teeming with bacteria. Whenever you blow your nose, make sure to use a disposable tissue. They won’t infect you as you are getting well and are less likely to infect other people. Dispose your dirty tissue in a sealed bag.

10. Calm your cough: It’s easy to make your own homemade cough syrup by mixing lemon juice with two tablespoons of glycerin and 12 teaspoons of honey. Take one teaspoon of the cough syrup every half hour. Eight ounces of warm pineapple juice mixed with two teaspoons of honey works as well. It’s a great way to soothe a cough without resorting to over-the-counter cough medicine.

Flu season is a cycle of life that everyone must deal with. By employing the following tips, we can lessen the intensity of this year’s flu season and get on with our lives.

In short: Screw the flu. Don’t let the flu screw you.

Source:

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