How Be Flu- Free This Season

The best remedy for the flu is, of course, preventing it to begin with.

Just because you have aches, a fever and sniffles does not mean that you have the flu, by the way..there are many viruses that go around during flu season that people mistake for the flu.

Illnesses That are Commonly Mistaken for the Flu (Influenza A or B)

• RSV
• Pneumonia
• Bad cold
• Sinusitis

Since none of the above are fun to have it is important to do what you can to keep your body in good shape to fight off those bugs!  We normally do not get sick here.  About once a  year, usually in January, a cold will zip through the family but that is about it.

Symptoms of the Flu are:

• SUDDEN onset
• High fever
• Severe exhaustion
• Decreased appetite
• Achy head and muscles
• Chills

Flu Prevention
So, how do you help your body fight off those viruses?

• Wash your hands, often.  Do NOT use antibacterial soap.  I need to write about why you should not use antibacterial soap but for now, just trust me.  Don’t.
• Add 1/4 cup of vinegar to the rinse water if you wash dishes by hand or add it to the dishwasher in the rinse cycle.  Some dishwashers have a dispenser for rinse and drying aids..it can be added there.
• Keep your hands away from your face.
• Get plenty of rest and make sure your kids are getting good  amounts of sleep. 7 to 8 hours for everyone over 12, 8 to 10 hours for everyone under twelve.
• If you get a cold or get sick stay home, rest, and recuperate.  We push our bodies much to hard and it is not fair to others togive them our sick germs.
• Cut back on sugar.  Sugar compromises your immune system, less is better.
• Take your vitamins!  Especially vitamin A. Viruses like the flu don’t get along well with vitamin A.10,000 IU per day is fine.
• Remember cod liver oil? It really does spike your immune system…You can get it in capsules.
• Lose the stress.  Let’s face it, when you are stressed it burns up your vitamin stores and compromises your immune system.
• Keep your sense of humor and laugh a lot.  The Bible says that laughter is like medicine.  Happy people are healthier than unhappy people.  You can choose to be happy and healthy or unhappy and sick.  No matter what is going on in your life the choice is yours. There is always something to be thankful for, always something to laugh about.
• Soak your toothbrush in peroxide daily to kill germs.
• Try to stay away from crowded places like malls.
• Get fresh air.  Open your windows to get good ventilation in the house, take a walk, get some sunshine.
• If you use a humidifier place several drops of tea tree oil, lavender, and tangerine essential oils in the water.  This will not only disinfect your home but the tangerine encourages cheerfulness.  You can also use a vaporizer.
• Drink tea to boost your immune system.
• Yogurt at least once a day for the good acidolphilus.
• Improve your body’s alkalinity balance with lemon juice or unfiltered natural cider vinegar. Drink lemon in hot tea, or water…add the vinegar to salads.
• Drink water.  How much? Figure half your body weight in pounds and then drink that many ounces a day.  S0, if you weigh 150 then you should be drinking 75 ounces of water daily. 16 ounces is a pint.. 32 ounces is a quart…64 ounces is a gallon.  Another good reason to lose weight..LOL!

Now, you can do all of this and still get the flu..but doing these things will significantly reduce your chances of getting it.

Next post…what to do if you get the flu anyway….

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