Tips to avoid the flu this season

With flu season upon us everyone is frantically figuring out if getting the flu shot is the right choice for themselves and their family members. I've notice this over the last several weeks on social media websites. I am not "con vaccination" and more over I am not "pro vaccination. The purpose of this post is not to cite research in favor of vaccination or against vaccination but just some tips you and your family can implement this flu season to give yourself the best possible shot at avoiding the flu. Lets face it we know all know someone that received the flu shot last season who got the flu, and someone else who received the flu shot two years ago and still got the flu, and so forth. Take home point is if you do or do not get the flu shot you should implement these simple things to help protect yourself this season.

  • Hand washing: This is of key importance and is the best way to help protect yourself and your family from getting the flu. I know people don't have hot water and soap at their disposal but travel sized hand sanitizers work just as well. You can have make this a fun thing for your children by going to the store and buying all the cool lanyards and covers they make for the travel sized hand sanitizers.

  • Exercise: Consult with your physician before beginning and exercise program. Their are many theories of why and how exercise increases immune system functioning but the fact is that EXERCISE INCREASES IMMUNE FUNCTION. I suggest at least 20 minutes of moderate exercise 3 Times a week. Your community more than likely has a 24 gym of which the membership costs about what you would pay for a meal at your favorite restaurant.

  • Stress Management: Caution if you feel as if your stress is overwhelming then you should consult your doctor. With that being said everyone has stress in some way shape or form. It is known that STRESS DECREASES IMMUNE FUNCTION. It is important to recognize the things that cause our physical and/or emotional stress in our lives and find a way to cope with them or eliminate them completely. My go to when stressed is exercise, which is also my go to when talking to other people about the topic. But people can find other calm and relaxing activities to perform when they are feeling stressed such as reading or talking with a friend.

  • Diet: You know it, I know it, our diets are terrible. I could spend the rest of the day listing all the vitamins, minerals, carbs, fats, and proteins our body need to STAY HEALTHY. I am going to keep this as simple as possible...KEEP IT FRESH! This is something we should do all year round and not just seasonally such as flu season or the several months before summer. Give your body the necessary nutrition it need to function properly by increasing your intake of fresh fruis, vegetables, and meat/fish/poultry and decreased fast food and processed.

Yours in health, Dr. jason

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