Flu Fighting

It seems to be a hot topic of conversation - how to prevent the flu, how to fight it if you've got it, who has it. Colds and flu are an inevitable part of winter. But there are ways to help keep the little beasties at bay. These are very simple, common sense things that we can all do with little effort.

• Wash your hands - often. It's a mantra you've heard over and over again, but it's a valid point. Wash you hands to be rid of germs and bacteria you pick up through out the day. If you're worried about over drying your hands, just keep a moisturizer like one of our Lotion Bars near by to keep hands clean - and soft.
  

• If you work in an office, wipe it down at least once a day. At my office, I wipe down my phone, keyboard, stapler, tape dispenser, mouse, desktop, pen, arm rest and anything else that not only I but others may have touched. I use a disinfectant wipe, or a little hand sanitizer on a napkin. I do this at least once a day - sometimes twice if it's been one of those hectic crazy days.
  

• Wipe it down at home too. At home, I have white distilled vinegar infused with mint and citrus. I use this to wipe down doorknobs, phones, keyboards, pens, cabinet handles, latches, remotes and other things we're all grabbing without thinking. Just be careful with electronics. I spray the dust cloth, not the keyboard.

• Use a tissue. Some people are handkerchief people. It has a certain convenience to it and is perfectly suitable for a single sneeze or a little wipe. But if you're fighting flu or flu season - go for tissues. And pitch them out as soon as they are used. There's nothing quite as yucky as a used tissue lying around on tables.

• Eat Right. Simple, and sensible. Adding beta-carotene rich foods (those orange colored goodies like orange-colored vegetables, including carrots, squash, pumpkins and sweet potatoes) have lots of vitamin C and help build your immune system.

• Chestnuts Roasting on an open fire - or in stew or salad. Chestnuts, those holiday gems fabled in song and story, are low fat and high fiber. They are and excellent source of potassium, folate, vitamins B6 and C, and bolster the immune system to fight infections and stave off the flu.

• Get your sleep. Getting at least 7 hours of sleep every night (8 is better) helps maintain your immune system and keeps your body working at it's best. After just 3 nights of reduced sleep, studies show your immune system function can drop as much as 60%. So go to bed.

And that's just what I'm going to do. After all, I don't want to catch the flu - I prefer to just talk about it.