Did you know that people aged 65 and older are at a greater risk of serious complications related to the flu? With fall officially here, flu season is right around the corner. Here are some tips to help you stay healthy and combat influenza.
Stay Active
Physical exercise is one of the many ways to kick-start your immune system to help you fight the flu. If you don’t want to brace the cold by walking or biking outside, you can do at-home exercises or even join a gym. YouTube and other social media websites offer great ways for you to access fitness instructors and classes right from your home.
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Eat Healthy And Drink Lots Of Water
A good diet can help your body fight any illness?— especially the flu. Your immune system needs nutrients that are wholesome and high in vitamins like vitamin C and E. Try incorporating more nutritious foods into your diet like oranges, grapefruit, ginger, spinach, turmeric and green tea.
Drinking plenty of water also helps boost your immune system. Staying hydrated assists in removing toxins and impurities from your body.
Wash Your Hands Regularly
This may seem simple enough, but washing your hands is crucial to resisting the spread of the flu. Since it may be difficult if you’re out-and-about, try carrying around hand sanitizer so your hands can stay germ-free all day long. Sanitize your hands while or after you’re in a public place, before you eat, after you shake someone’s hand and especially when you’re around someone who may be sick.
Ensure you keep your hands away from your face at all times. Even if you do wash your hands regularly, germs can be spread more easily by touching your eyes, mouth or nose.
Get Plenty Of Rest
Whether your feeling under-the-weather or not, it’s extremely important to be getting plenty of rest. You may feel like you’re always on the go, but take some time for yourself during the day. Relaxing with a good book and a cup of tea for an hour is a wonderful way to give your body a break and feel refreshed.
Also, make sure you’re getting at least the required amount of sleep for your age. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention suggests getting 7-8 hours of sleep if you’re 65 or older.
Don’t Forget Your Flu Shot
One of your best lines of defense against influenza is a vaccine. It is recommended that everyone receives a seasonal flu shot to help avoid contracting the virus. Remember, the flu changes each year so make sure to stay up to date on your vaccination.
Be Prepared And Be Aware
While these tips can help protect yourself and those around you from contracting the flu, it’s still possible to contract the illness. If you begin to experience symptoms such as fever, aches, nasal congestion or a sore throat, don’t hesitate, and see your doctor immediately.
Stay Healthy With StoryPoint
Whether holding flu shot clinics or offering health and wellness seminars for healthy aging, StoryPoint Senior Living places the health and well-being of our residents and surrounding communities as our primary concern. To learn more, reach out to your local StoryPoint community today.
