Each year everyone stresses the idea of protecting yourself in cold and flu season. But honestly does the flu affect us all? And the bigger picture is how do we protect ourselves?
The truth is 1 in 5 Americans get the flu each year. The United States Center for Disease Control estimates that between 3,000 and 49,000 people die from influenza each year, 90% of which were under the age of 65.
People at high risk are children 6 months to 5 years old, pregnant women, anyone who lives with or cares for infants, health care workers, and adults over 50.
The combination of pneumonia and influenza is the nation’s eighth leading cause of death.
Now that we know the facts, how do we protect ourselves?
Through endless research we have compiled a list of the best tips to prevent your exposure to the cold and flu this season.
- Eat lots of fruits and vegetables! (for maximum vitamins and minerals)
- Make sure your hands are clean. Use hand sanitizer or wash hands with warm soapy water.
- Keep your hands away from your face.
- Get moving! Exercise boosts immune function.
- Get plenty of sleep and rest.
- Decrease stress and meditate
- Diffuse essential oils into the air (eucalyptus is a great option).
- Be sure to sneeze properly (into your elbow).
- If you get sick, stay home.
- And the single best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu shot.
Be prepared to combat cold and flu germs throughout the day with a bottle of SnugZ hand sanitizer, available in a variety of scents and easy to carry bottles. Check out a few of our favorites like ZSCP or ZS19.
You never know when those germs will strike so keep SnugZ handy this season!
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/keyfacts.htm