5 Top Tips to Prevent Flu This Year

by charlie smart in News

So it’s that time of year again when everyone is getting ill and germy, and as we all know, it’s NOT fun! In this blog we will be giving you 5 top tips on how to prevent cold and flu this winter, nobody wants to be ill over Christmas, right?
Sip Tea
This one sounds perfect, we all love a good brew! An ears, nose and throat specialist in LA swears by sipping green or black tea with lemon and honey, breathing in the steam really helps to move the hair follicles in the nose and this moves out germs more efficiently. The lemon thins the mucus and the honey is antibacterial!
Wipe Down Equipment
So when you’re in the gym or even at work, make sure surfaces are wiped down before and after use. Science researchers in Arizona have proven that it only takes 4 hours for someone who is sick in an office to pass on infection viruses onto work surfaces such as the photocopier, the fridge door and the kettle. Be super vigilant and wipe down surfaces when you are going to use them.
Consume Protein
Did you know that eating lean protein at every meal can help to protect your body against many bad bacteria, germs and viruses. Don’t get me wrong it isn’t a magic quick fix and you will not automatically be unsusceptible to infections, but many foods that are high in protein also contain immune-boosting nutrients.
Sleep
According to a recent sleep study, those who sleep 5 hours or less each night have a 4.5 times higher risk of catching a cold or the flu in comparison to those who enjoyed 7 hours or more. Sleep deprived people are more likely to get sick once exposed to a virus, not only that but they will also have a prolonged recovery time.
Not only this, but those of us who are constantly on the go and do not get as much rest or sleep as we should, tend to get run down throughout the year which can throw us out of sync for a while, make us feel really groggy and laid up at home. Meaning it is very important to listen to your body when you have a very busy lifestyle. Lots of us don’t think of sleep when thinking of a balanced and healthy lifestyle – it really helps with stress and is critical when it comes to our immune system!
Exercise
And last, but by no means least, exercise! We all know that exercise makes us physically healthier but it also helps to keep our immune system strong. When exercising your body temperature rises, therefore your white blood cells (the ones that fight infection), travel through your body faster and do their jobs better! Meaning they may be able to pick up illnesses earlier than they would have. Specialists suggest that just 30 mins of moderate cardiovascular exercise daily will help to improve your overall fitness which will in time boost your immune system and therefore help to prevent bacterial and viral infections.

Of course flu can be more dangerous for certain groups of people, for example those suffering with chronic diseases, pregnant ladies and also carers amongst others. If you are entitled, go to your doctors or local pharmacy and get your flu injections – this will also help to prevent flu in the long term. For more information about the flu injection, visit your pharmacist.
So, there you have it, 5 different ways to prevent cold and flu this year.