Do-it-Yourself Flu Prevention

05. Nov, 2009 3 Comments

washing Luckily, the do-it-yourself tips to avoid the flu and H1N1 (Swine flu) are pretty simple. The following are the basic methods for preventing the flu.

Get Enough Sleep and Relaxation

Getting enough of both are key to fighting off germs. Try warming your bed with a warming pad or electric blanket before you get it. This can help you get a good night’s sleep. It is not recommended to keep an electric blanket on all night as it is reported to disrupt REM sleep. Meditation and relaxation techniques also help the body build germ fighting chemicals.

Keep hydrated
Drink plenty of fluids to flush toxins out of your body. The typical adult needs about 64 ounces of water per day. Make sure your urine is close to clear. If not, you are not getting enough fluids.

Cover Up

Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. If a tissue is not available, cough or sneeze into the crook of your arm instead of into your hands.

Wash, wash, wash

Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Doctors recommend singing “Happy Birthday” in your head 2 times to wash for the appropriate amount of time. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.

Don’t be too Touchy

Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.

Avoid close contact

Try to avoid close contact with sick people. Avoid airplane travel during the highest flu months if possible.

Steam Sauna
Cold and Flu germs cannot live in an environment that is over 80 degrees. According to German researchers, people who steamed at least two times a week got half as many colds than those who didn’t.

Stay Home

Stay home if you are sick until at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever (100°F or 37.8°C) or signs of a fever (without the use of a fever-reducing medicine).

Get Your Heart Pumping

According to WebMD, “Aerobic exercise speeds up the heart to pump larger quantities of blood; makes you breathe faster to help transfer oxygen from your lungs to your blood; and makes you sweat once your body heats up. These exercises help increase the body’s natural virus-killing cells.”

Beware of the FRAUDS
One thing to be very aware of are the fraudulent claims about products that will keep your home flu-free. Most of these companies just want your money and have no scientific research to back up their claims. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has a list of these products and companies published here.

Fraudulent 2009 H1N1 Influenza Products List.

Yeahtips wishes you and your loved ones a save, healthy and happy cold and flu season. Have other home prevention tips to share? Let us know.