The flu has come to every town USA. Usually, this means being sick... which isn't fun. But when you're immune system is suppressed and you happen to be a transplantee, the risks are much much MUCH more severe. Thus, I've become something of an expert on avoiding germs. While I still get sick, I'm getting better at avoiding it. So here are my top five tips for avoiding the flu or stopping its spread if you happen to have or get it.
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| Misery and germs love nothing more than human company. So sit down with a good book. Do some journaling. Read some poetry. These beauties belong to my friend Jay Walker who's a big book collector. They're encrusted with gold, lacquer, rubies, diamonds and other crazy stuff. I love this one which is just a bit cheaper :) |
5. Be Anti Social. This is the perfect time of year to catch up on correspondence, old tv shows, blog posts, etc. Call an old friend. Try out some new recipes. Start spring cleaning early. Home is where the heart is and where you're safest from germs.
4. Stay Hydrated. When you don't have enough fluids in your system, you're more susceptible to bugs. So pour yourself a giant mug of peppermint tea (I also LOVE
Good Earth Original Herbal Tea. SO good!) and then another mug, and then another mug. It's good fort he body, mind and soul.
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Apple cider and mint hot chocolate. Yum!
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3. Keep It Fresh! Despite common belief, there are plenty of veggies that grow in the wintertime. Citrus is in season. So is
kale, cauliflower, broccoli, kohlrabi, and a lot of those super healthy
leafy greens. So eat up! All of those nutrients will help your system and look at the links for some great
recipes.
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| Not only are winter veggies incredibly high in anti oxidants, they are gorgeous and delicious! |
2. Make like the
Japanese,
US Presidents or any number of other folks and
bow. Ok. You don't have to bow. But hands are super dirty. So wave, do air kisses, try an
Obama bump, do something but PLEASE don't shake hands. They are very useful, but they are absolutely
filthy.
1. Speaking of hands, WASH THEM ... and try not to touch your face with them. This is probably the easiest and best way to avoid the spread of
germs. Cover your coughs
count dracula style. If you're traveling, don't grab for the sky mall and the pockets in front of you. Keep your hands to yourself and wash them frequently.
Sometimes you'll still get sick. I just got back from the hospital but the good new is, it wasn't the flu and so far (crossing my fingers) everything looks like it's going to be ok. But these tips have helped me get through tons of travel, events and interactions unscathed by germs.
What are your tips for staying healthy?
I was a proud anti-social and boycotted a much and mingle last week :)
ReplyDeleteOne of my colleagues has Chron's disease, so she also risks violent illness if she were to contract the flu (according to my boss, the last time this happened a couple of years ago, she "melted" and lost almost 20 pounds in a week). As such, we're all compulsive hand-washers, which means none of us have gotten sick in the year I've been here :D
ReplyDeleteYou guys are awesome!!
DeleteI wish I could like the previous post, because that is nice that they are all so considerate in their office!! I would add "get enough sleep" to your list. We take some extra immune boosters with D, C, and tons of anti-oxidants, but that is because I am not as advanced at cooking veggies as you are! I will be watching for winter veggie recipes!
ReplyDeleteDon't be shy! When someone in your workplace sneezes or coughs, please remind them to "cover it up". Handwashing is key, as we know, right?! - if they are not already present, request that hand sanitizer dispensers be placed strategically throughout the workplace. If coworkers have fever, tell them it's not OK for them to be at work. It's really not all about them! They may struggle and make it through their day. BUT they may be spreading their illness throughout the course of the day. It's unlikely that anyone is unaware of the flu epidemic we're facing. HOWEVER, there may be a few. When reminding people of the need to prevent the spread of flu, we can and must be tactful. ;)
ReplyDeleteI didn't know it was called a Dracula cough, but I like it more that way.
ReplyDeleteTop-notch advice!
ReplyDeleteSpeaking as a medical student, I hope you'll bear with me if I suggest one more tip, arguably the most powerful one:
GET THE FLU SHOT.
It's extremely safe. It's highly effective. Most importantly, it is one of the best tools we have to decrease the flu's prevalence in the population in order to protect the very young, the very old... and the immunocompromised. :)
(For a slightly more cantankerous take on the topic...)
http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/newsdesk/2013/01/for-gods-sake-go-get-a-flu-shot.html
Amen!
DeleteP.S. totally going to start calling it a Dracula cough from now on
DeleteFLU SHOTS!!! SO important!!!
DeleteThis is great.
ReplyDelete