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Publicity with integrity!
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KLS Professional
PO Box 2226, Olympia, Washington 98507
Telephone 360 867-0260
Email KarenLsell@aol.com
Get the jump on flu season with these tips from national wellness professionals
submitted by Karen Sell, 520 743-0785
Aching muscles, high fever, runny nose, nagging cough, and tired, oh so tired. Yep, that’s the flu and it shows up every year just as predictably as holiday gatherings. So before you head over the river and through the woods, try these tips to help keep your family flu free this winter.
Two’s company – but a crowd could mean the flu. Wellness Consultant Erik Johnson of California based Healthy Living Solutions suggests we can get smarter about fighting the flu even when we can’t avoid the crowds.
“Just becoming aware of our own personal flu pitfalls can be our first line of flu defense this winter,” Johnson says.
Do you shake hands all around at meetings? Use handrails on stairs or escalators? Open store doors? Carpool or ride in buses or cabs? Grab a cart when entering the food mart, or a magazine in a waiting room?
According to the Centers for Disease Control, influenza germs can live an a surface like a doorknob for 2 to 6 hours, just waiting for you to come by.
“Sharing space and being social means we are sharing germs, but we can boost our odds of staying healthy by keeping our hands away from our faces and washing up as soon as possible,” Johnson advises.
And if you just can’t wash? No excuse, says Johnson. “Tuck a small bottle of hand sanitizer in your car, purse or pocket and, more importantly, use it daily during germ season.”
Johnson also recommends taking steps to boost immunities through better general health.
“Some people find a product like Cold and Flu Quik Defense useful, but all of us benefit from a good night’s sleep and better nutrition. According to information posted on the Healthy Living Solutions website (www.hls-herbs.com), orange and yellow fruits and vegetables especially contain the antioxidants, carotenoids and bioflavonoids that scientists believe promote a healthy immune system. “The more color the better, so reach for the tangerines, oranges, yellow pears, yellow apples, and great fall veggies like carrots or pumpkin or squash,” Johnson says.
Wash well and often.
The federal Centers for Disease Control has long held that routine handwashing can help prevent the spread of disease, but Americans continue to wash too little and not nearly often enough.
According to a publication of the Washington State University School of Nursing, viruses like influenza are spread by hands and it takes at least 20 seconds of scrubbing with plenty of soap and hot water to get those hands clean.
If you can sing a chorus or two of Happy Birthday to yourself while you are washing, you will probably be doing a good job, Washington State University Extension Educator B. Susie Craig suggests.
When you wash is important too – hit the soap and water before eating or preparing food and always after using the bathroom, particularly a public toilet. Hint – open that restroom door with a paper towel on the way out.
A shot in time is worth the hassle.
No matter how long the lines, it will be worth it to get your flu shot. If you got one last year, you still need another this year – the virus changes every year and last year’s immunities may not do you any good this season. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention especially recommend flu shots for children under 5 and adults over 50. Pregnant women and people with chronic medical conditions should also consider getting a flu shot this month.
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Publicity with integrity!
|
KLS Professional
PO Box 2226, Olympia, Washington 98507
Telephone 360 867-0260
Email KarenLsell@aol.com
Get the jump on flu season with these tips from national wellness professionals
submitted by Karen Sell, 520 743-0785
Aching muscles, high fever, runny nose, nagging cough, and tired, oh so tired. Yep, that’s the flu and it shows up every year just as predictably as holiday gatherings. So before you head over the river and through the woods, try these tips to help keep your family flu free this winter.
Two’s company – but a crowd could mean the flu. Wellness Consultant Erik Johnson of California based Healthy Living Solutions suggests we can get smarter about fighting the flu even when we can’t avoid the crowds.
“Just becoming aware of our own personal flu pitfalls can be our first line of flu defense this winter,” Johnson says.
Do you shake hands all around at meetings? Use handrails on stairs or escalators? Open store doors? Carpool or ride in buses or cabs? Grab a cart when entering the food mart, or a magazine in a waiting room?
According to the Centers for Disease Control, influenza germs can live an a surface like a doorknob for 2 to 6 hours, just waiting for you to come by.
“Sharing space and being social means we are sharing germs, but we can boost our odds of staying healthy by keeping our hands away from our faces and washing up as soon as possible,” Johnson advises.
And if you just can’t wash? No excuse, says Johnson. “Tuck a small bottle of hand sanitizer in your car, purse or pocket and, more importantly, use it daily during germ season.”
Johnson also recommends taking steps to boost immunities through better general health.
“Some people find a product like Cold and Flu Quik Defense useful, but all of us benefit from a good night’s sleep and better nutrition. According to information posted on the Healthy Living Solutions website (www.hls-herbs.com), orange and yellow fruits and vegetables especially contain the antioxidants, carotenoids and bioflavonoids that scientists believe promote a healthy immune system. “The more color the better, so reach for the tangerines, oranges, yellow pears, yellow apples, and great fall veggies like carrots or pumpkin or squash,” Johnson says.
Wash well and often.
The federal Centers for Disease Control has long held that routine handwashing can help prevent the spread of disease, but Americans continue to wash too little and not nearly often enough.
According to a publication of the Washington State University School of Nursing, viruses like influenza are spread by hands and it takes at least 20 seconds of scrubbing with plenty of soap and hot water to get those hands clean.
If you can sing a chorus or two of Happy Birthday to yourself while you are washing, you will probably be doing a good job, Washington State University Extension Educator B. Susie Craig suggests.
When you wash is important too – hit the soap and water before eating or preparing food and always after using the bathroom, particularly a public toilet. Hint – open that restroom door with a paper towel on the way out.
A shot in time is worth the hassle.
No matter how long the lines, it will be worth it to get your flu shot. If you got one last year, you still need another this year – the virus changes every year and last year’s immunities may not do you any good this season. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention especially recommend flu shots for children under 5 and adults over 50. Pregnant women and people with chronic medical conditions should also consider getting a flu shot this month.
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