Striving for a Healthier Lifestyle

Copyright © AJ Aldridge, helping you strive for a healthier lifestyle.

Tis the season for sickness. Just as anything else the flu has its own season and with the H1N1 flu virus spreading like wild fire, people seem to be taking extra precautions. Though not every illness can be completely avoided it is up to each individual to do their part in controlling the spread the of such viruses. Prevention starts at home before the season even starts.

One way to prevent yourself from getting sick is to maintain a healthy diet. Eating healthy food and maintaining a balanced diet will supply your immune system with the fuel it needs to fight off any exposure to viruses including the H1N1 flu virus. It is very important to your body to feed it with the right foods.

With a balanced diet also take a good multi-vitamin. There are many to choose from but also consult with your doctor to find the right one for you. Also ask your doctor about taking additional supplements to compliment your diet and your lifestyle. Vitamins and supplements help with maintaining a healthy lifestyle and keep your body working at it peak performance level.

Fatigue also leads to illness. Your body needs to rest and getting the right amount of sleep allows your body to recharge itself. Allowing 6-8 hours of actual restful sleeping does wonders. Giving your body the chance to focus only on restoring its energy you will have a better chance at staying healthy and keeping viruses such as the H1N1 flu virus at bay. If you lead a busy life try and maintain a regular sleeping schedule. Do the absolute best to get to bed and wake up at the same times every night.

With any busy lifestyle, stress is an ever present nuisance. Getting regular exercise such as walking every day will give you a chance to get your mind off of things even if for just a little bit. The ability to get into a regular routine allows your body to exert itself and to help your heart in the process. Additional coping methods could include some breathing techniques and soaking in a warm bath each week. Keeping your stress level controlled and giving it an outlet is an important measure in the prevention of the flu virus and other illnesses.

One of the most important, and often under done, prevention measures is washing your hands and face. Washing your hands is vitally important to stop the spread of the H1N1 flu virus. Though many people do not wash their hands properly and this will lead to not only them spreading the virus but also contracting the illness themselves. Using soap and adding a little water to lather the soap, a person should scrub at least just past your wrists and sing the A B C song while scrubbing the soap into a good lather. Then rinse off the soap and dry completely. Of course you should do this after every bathroom break, leaving a public place and or returning home. If you are in contact with a person that is sick you should wash your hand each time you interact with them or anything that they touch. If you have children under 5 or an infant, you will need to wash up before tending to their needs. Wash your face at least 3 times a day and try your best not to touch your face throughout the day.

If you do get the H1N1 flu virus stay at home and in bed as much as possible. Doctors recommend not going out in public until you have been fever free at least 24 hours. This means that you have not had a fever or needed to take any fever reducing medications for an entire day. Of course this does not mean that you still can not carry the virus, so take the extra precautionary measure and limit the contact you have with others and continue to wash your hands properly.

Keeping your home clean is also as important as maintaining good hygiene. Regular cleaning sessions will help keep the germs and viruses at bay. Frequently used areas and surfaces that are generally touched with dirty hands should be cleaned daily and a couple times a day when there is a sickness in the house. Using a disinfectant cleaner on non porous surfaces such as door knobs, counters, any handles, faucets and the toilet can help kill the H1N1 flu virus. Look for products that are good for the environment when you need to purchase cleaners for your home. Any additional pollutants in your home can trigger the on set of other illnesses and can hinder your immune system from working properly to fight off the illness you are trying to prevent. Make sure your read and follow the directions on the products to maximize their full potential.

Prevention is always the best medicine. Keep a healthy routine with a balanced diet, good hygiene, exercise, vitamins supplements and rest will help your body in the long run. Remember to be stingy if you do get sick. Germs are something that no one would like to share with you especially the flu virus.

AJ Aldridge is a stay at home mom of 4. She owns her own business teaching others how to succeed and to help others as they strive for a healthier lifestyle. See her website, Striving for a Healthier Lifestyle, for more information