5 Tips to Fight the Flu
There is currently a lot of concern over the corona virus and influenza. As a home care agency, we are definitely aware of the effects these viruses can have on those we serve as well as our employees. Everyone is looking for ways to stay healthy this time of year. Here are some tips we have found to be useful in protecting ourselves and our home care clients from those nasty viruses.
1. Take care of yourself!
· This might sound simple, but it is so important! Viruses are most deadly to those who have a weak immune system. Keep your immune system at its peak by getting seven to eight hours of sleep a night, drink half your body weight in ounces of water, eat a healthy diet cutting sugary foods and eating lots of veggies and fruit. Get 30 minutes of exercise a day. Wash your hands frequently and keep your house clean. Disinfecting surfaces in your house will go a long way in keeping a virus at bay
2. Lemon, Apple Cigar Vinegar, Honey, Cinnamon and Hot Water
· What do you do with all these ingredients? Make tea of course! Why you night ask? These ingredients are helpful in detoxifying your body and boosting your immune system. Here is a recipe: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/244510/apple-cider-vinegar-tea/. You can modify this slightly and use fresh lemon, just cut a slice and put it into your hot water. You may want to start with one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar until you get use to it as it can be a bit strong.
· Here is an article on the health benefits of this mixture: https://www.healthline.com/health/apple-cider-vinegar-for-colds.
3. Elderberries
· Elderberries are rich in potassium, iron, copper, phosphorous, vitamin B, vitamin A and vitamin C which can aid our bodies in strengthening the function of our immune systems. Elderberries have a plethora of health benefit to learn more read this https://www.naturalfoodseries.com/11-benefits-elderberries/.
4. Essential Oils
· Essential oils have become very popular and claim to cure or aid in healing. Essential oils are aromatic, concentrated plant extracts. Not all companies do their due diligence in properly extracting essential oils so make sure you are purchasing oils from a reputable company and from someone who can help educate on what oils might be most helpful to you. Young Living and Doterra both offer immune boosting oils such as Thieves and On Guard.
5. Oscillococcinum
· There has been a lot of hype on the internet regarding Oscillococcinum and its abilities to stop flu symptoms in its tracks. This product claims to reduce the duration and severity of flu-like symptoms such as body aches, headache, fever, chills and fatigue. It claims to be a natural way to fight off the flu as soon as you start to have symptoms.
If you are still stuck on number one, taking care of yourself, and thinking “how the heck, am I supposed to have time to do all that?”, well, let me give you some advice. Make time and/or hire someone to help you! If you are elderly, sick, injured, have a disability, or recovering from surgery call a home care agency such as Kore Cares to help with the household errands, keeping the house clean, doing laundry, cooking meals and even assisting with range of motion exercises. If you are a healthy adult who just has no time due to your career or family obligations again hire some help, there are a lot of different resources out there. We cannot stress the importance enough of taking care of your body so it can get you through this cold and flu season!
As always consult with your health care professionals when trying new things and do your own research. These are just a few things that have come to our attention as ways to help during cold and flu season. We hope they help you too!