A few weeks ago I kicked off my series of posts as part of the #SuperstoreFluCrew team with a post on tips for staying healthy during the kick-off of cold and flu season – back to school AKA the fall spike.
Today I’m back with another post to share the top three things you can do now, and all cold and flu season long, to avoid the dreaded flu – and be sure to stick around to the end where you’ll find an awesome giveaway!
It seems to me that besides the back-to-school rush, the week or two after the time changes always seem to be the worst for catching a cold or the flu. I know the week after the time change has traditionally been the week I get sick. I think a combination of being run down (being a fitness instructor can be tiresome work!), having my sleep schedule altered and the influx of cold and flu germs seem to battle together to get me down. Fortunately, I have managed to stay clear of the flu for quite a few years (knock on wood) even if I do end up with the odd cold, and I credit that to following these tips.
Tip #1: Strengthen Your Immune System
Getting a good night’s sleep (7-8 hours/night), drinking plenty of fluids (approx. 2 liters/day), eating healthy foods, consuming probiotic foods and staying active will go a long way to keeping your immune system healthy and happy all year-long.
Tip #2: Practice Good Hygiene
Wash your hands using warm soapy water frequently throughout the day. A quick little rinse won’t cut it. To thoroughly wash your hands (fingers, between the fingers, palms, back of the hands, wrists) takes about 20 seconds. It can also really help cut down on germs if you make it a practice to wash your hands every time you come home, especially after being in public places. A few seconds of hand washing can really make a huge difference when it comes to keeping yourself – and your family – healthy.
Another way to practice good hygiene in your home is by removing shoes when you enter the house. We walk through all sorts of things when we are outside, and you really don’t want to drag all those germs through your house. If you like wearing shoes inside, designate a pair of inside shoes or slippers to put on when you come inside
Tip #3: Get Vaccinated
The early fall is the best time to get immunized for the flu. After you’ve been vaccinated, it takes approximately two weeks for it to become effective. Since the flu season is November to March/April, NOW is the time to go get your flu shot if you haven’t already.
Depending on how well matched the vaccine is to this year’s common viruses, 70-90% of flu cases can be averted through vaccination. Spending a few minutes getting your flu shot can help you avoid up to 14 days of misery with the flu! And Atlantic Superstore makes it easy by offering flu vaccinations from their pharmacists and nutrition tips from their Registered Dietitians in store.
“According to the National Advisory Committee on Immunization, everyone should get the flu vaccine, but it is especially important for individuals such as those 65 years of age and older; healthy children 6 months to 5 years of age; healthy pregnant women, at any stage of pregnancy; and children and adults with chronic medical conditions.”
Get Prepared Before It’s Too Late
Head to Atlantic Superstore to book an appointment with one of their in-store registered dietitians for more information on foods that help support good overall and immune health, and while you’re there, visit your in-store pharmacist for your flu shot.
Giveaway:
To help you kick-start your immune system, Atlantic Superstore is offering one of my readers a $100 gift card! To be entered in the giveaway, please leave a comment below sharing YOUR #1 tip for staying #Fluless this cold and flu season.
Giveaway is open to residents of Canada, excluding Quebec. Giveaway ends on Thursday, December 7, 2017 at 12:01am ET. Winner will be chosen via random.org.
WINNER HAS BEEN CHOSEN! CONGRATS STEPHANIE!!!
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post for Atlantic Superstore, all opinions expressed are entirely my own.
I avoid the flu by not touching my face. Hand washing is always important but for the most part, if you don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth without hand washing first, you can eliminate a lot of the risk.
Lots of citrus and washing my hands all the time! Working with hair means I’m allllllways in someone’s face, breathing their air. I also drink a lot of cold 911 tea from David’s tea.
I find that staying active has been the best thing for preventing any cold or flu. Since I started working out consistently I have not gotten sick, even while the others in the house have been.
I’m on board with all of the tips given above, but my number one is to Wash Your Hands, especially after using the washroom, before preparing food, playing and while the pet lovers will hate me, after playing with pets. Pets tend to get into everything, plus they are low to the ground and come in contact with germs in all the nooks and crannies I know some people will have a tough time with the last one.
i’am all about the hand washing & making sure i eat & sleep enough. if my body isn’t rested or have proper fuel it cant fight off the scoobies!!
Everyday healthy living (food, activity and sleep) is key ,but you really gotta keep washing those hands… especially if you are around kiddos or the public a lot.
My tips for staying #Fluless this season are to wash your hands regularly, drink lots of water, take your vitamins, get your flu shot, and just try to stay away from sick people if you know they are sick.
My #1 tip is drinking smoothies with blueberries, strawberries, yogurt, banana, spinach and almond milk to get lots of nutrients in your body to keep your immune system strong.
Vitamin D and omega 3&6 are my go to products to keep me healthy this winter. I love getting outside and exercising as well.
# 1 thing is to wash , wash your hands. and get lots of fresh air
Although I am a clean person and always wash my hands “when you’re supposed to”, I often have my hands on my face, bite a rough nail, snack at my desk or wherever without thinking about having “dirty” hands. Knock on wood, I rarely get sick which I mostly attribute to growing up on a farm & building that iron stomach and immunity early. BUT, I do get my flu shot every Fall and I take my probiotics nightly with my 1000mg EmergenC vitamin C powder as well as magnesium citrate. Sometimes I also take oregano oil. One big thing to be conscientious of if you work with /share workspace, do not use the same phone as someone who is sick and never share drinks!!!
My tip for staying #fluless is to boost your immune system with vitamins. I take Vitamin C and Cod Liver Oil daily to help ward off the flu.
Thoroughly wash and dry your hands frequently especially when you are around people who are sick or if you are in public places.
#1 tip for staying #Fluless this cold and flu season is Multivitamins, Vitamin C & Echinacea.
I would say that my number 1 tip to stay fluless is frequent hand washing.
Thanks for the giveaway.
washing your hands and getting lots of rest are both important to me to remain #fluless
I’m a big believer of staying active to strengthen your immune system, reduce the chances of getting sick.
Wash your hands, wash your hands! Nuff said.
Lots of hand washing! And I make sure I keep up my water intake.
My number 1 tip for keeping the flu away is to stay away from sick people.
My #1 tip for staying #Fluless is staying hydrated and getting plenty of sleep (rest) and also making sure to wash your hands frequently!
I avoid the flu by not leaving the house until flu season is over. JK! I ensed up with the flu a few years ago after not getting vaccinated because I was scared of yhe needle. The flu sucked. So now I put on a brave face and get vaccinated every fall, and practice good hygiene. Washing my hands is always the first thing I do when I get home.
I’ve been trying to get sleep, wash my hands and not share (sometimes sharing isn’t caring). I’ve also got my flu shot! Hoping it’ll keep me going for the rest of the winter!
Essential oils! And make sure to wash your kids hands all the time! !
I find that my regular exercise routine has kept me flu and cold-free for years.
Washing our hands is a big one in our house, with 3 kids 2 of which are in school, germs are always floating around. Getting enough sleep too:) who doesn’t love a good nap!
Wash your hands! And make sure my kids do too.
I think regular exercise and drinking lot of water keeps the flu and colds away
Keep the germs off your hands! Hand washing and hand sanitizer are important in my line of work and I find it helps to keep me cold and fluness!
My tip is good hand-washing ….really helps keep germs at bay.
I would say vitamins, sleep and lots of water!!! As soon as I don’t keep up with Any of these I get sick!
Hand washing for sure!!!! Also when feeling like something is coming on…eat a lemon is a trick my cousin taught me 🙂
After one of our kids is sick (so like every week) I disinfect our toothbrushes by sub merging them in hydrogen peroxide. We all share one toothbrush holder so it’s super easy for them to touch each other.
I take mental health days and do something just for me every couple of months! It works a charm over the winter to recharge (and it certainly doesn’t hurt to he away from the germs in the office!)
Washing my hands and not touching my face !!!
Especially in my profession, hand washing is super important. A lot of shared equipment and computers. My trick is to find a beautiful hand wash that keeps my hands healthy and the germs away. That combined with a flu shot is my best defence.
Hand washing is a huge benefit, but also, try not to get “run-down”. It’s hard this time of year, but get your test when you can
Because I work by myself I’m not exposed to a lot of other people’s germs.
But I still boost my immune system with vitamin supplements!
Vitamin C works miracles. 🙂
I get my flu shot every year (and make the rest of the household do the same!) and ensure my hands are washed often throughout the day. We also make a point of not touching handrails and, if we do, using hand sanitizer afterwards.
When I feel something coming on, I amp up my fluid intake and ensure I get lots of rest.
Drink lots of water and hand washing!
My number one trick is to wash all bedsheets everyday when someone starts feeling sick. I try to kill those germs that lurk in the laundry!
I’m constantly cleaning my work space and any shared spaces at work. I also always sanitize equipment at the gym before and after I use it!
Washing my hands is a big one… especially with 3 kiddos. And lots of water. Love to get more sleep but I have 3 kiddos. 🙂
I’m trying my best to wash my hands after being on public transit. Yesterday two people coughed on my neck on the bus.
Hand washing for sure!
Washing hands multiple times a day, eating well and sleeping 8+ hrs every night!
My biggest tip involves my incessant hand washing. I commute by bus and everyone is sniffling and coughing so as soon as I get into work or my house I wash my hands because eww.
My biggest tip is to drink fresh lemon in warm water every morning! It’s great to do all year round, but especially in the winter 🙂
Frequent hand washing and getting outside for fresh air!
I’m all about prevention! Extra sleep, eating well, getting some fresh air exercise and using essential oils like a boss!
My two biggies are constantly washing my hands and of course drinking a lot of water.