Are you sick of getting sick? Try these tips for staying healthy. Seems like yesterday that we were seeing the signs for flu shots at all of our grocery stores and pharmacies, but it’s been a whole year! Flu season is here again. And since no one has time to get sick, here are some ideas to help keep you and your family healthy.

  • Wash your hands. Many germs can be transferred from our hands to our eyes, nose, and mouth which are perfect places for germs to enter our bodies. Frequent hand washing is a must if you hope to keep germs at bay. Viruses and bacteria can live for hours on surfaces touched by an infected person. Then they are transferred to the next healthy person to come along. Wash your hands vigorously with soap and warm water for 10-15 seconds.
  • Drink plenty of water. A general guideline is to drink 8 cups of water every day. Not soda, coffee, or sports drinks but water. Those other drinks can have an opposite effect on our bodies, causing us to need more water than what we are drinking. Your body is made up of 70% water, keep it that way.
  • Disinfect the House. Use germ-killing cleaning products, like Lysol, bleach or boiling water, to disinfect the house. Wipe down the phone, computer keyboard/mouse, door handles, bathrooms, toys, countertops and other common surfaces. Wash dishes in the hottest possible water and allow to air dry, or use an automatic dishwasher. Microwave sponges and dishcloths for 30 seconds to kill bacteria. Replace toothbrushes often, especially after illness.
  • Don’ts. Don’t smoke. Studies show that smokers have more frequent and severe colds. Secondhand smoke dries out nasal passages and makes people more susceptible to respiratory illnesses. Don’t drink alcohol, except in moderation. Heavy drinking dehydrates the body and damages immunity. Most importantly, don’t get run down. When you’re stressed, tired or undernourished, your body just can’t fight off illness.
  • Do’s. Get plenty of sleep. Exercise, especially aerobic, increases the body’s virus-killing cells. Even better, exercise outside in the fresh air, away from dehydrating indoor heating systems and recirculated, germy air. Eat healthy foods with lots of vitamins, like colorful fruits and vegetables, whole grains and yogurt. Drink fluids; it flushes out your system. Take care of yourself!

We all do our best to take care of our bodies. But during this time of year, when the flu and other cold viruses are more prevalent, we need to try even harder. Keep these tips in mind as you enter flu season so that you can enjoy all the other activities this season has to offer!

And speaking of other activities to enjoy…this season, we at AZ Chiropractic are gathering donations to help a needy family here in Gilbert. We will have a donation jar out at the front desk for you to help this single mother and her three small children. Please help us make a difference in their lives.