Denton County Living Well Magazine March/April 2019 | Page 46

15 WAYS TO
AVOID
THE FLU
By Rebecca Mann
Wash with soap and water.
Wash your hands often. Scrub for at least 20 seconds or
more. When you wash your hands, make sure to scrub all
areas of your hands––even the tops and under your finger-
nails. Singing the Happy Birthday song will help make sure
you are washing long enough.
Avoid shaking hands.
During cold and flu season, people will understand that you
would rather not shake their hands and they will appreciate
the gesture.
Getting exercise.
When working out, be sure to wipe down all equipment
that you use before you use it. Yes, we should all wipe it
down after we use the machines, but not everyone follows
this rule. It’s best to be on the side of caution. If you are
feeling sick, stick to moderate exercise.
Avoid crowds and sick people.
In the early stages of a flu or cold, people may not be
aware that they are sick. It is best to try and avoid crowed
areas––this is important especially for babies and the el-
derly.
Cover your mouth.
When you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth with a tis-
sue. If you don’t have a tissue available, cough or sneeze
into the bend of your arm. Make sure to throw away the
tissue and wash your hands.
Sleep well.
Getting enough rest––at least seven to nine hours of sleep
a night––can help keep your immune system strong. If you
do get a cold or the flu, sleeping will help your body fight
against the virus.
Eating healthy.
Eating nutritious, colorful foods will help keep your immune
system healthy. Make sure and get some protein in your
diet to help boost your immune system.
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DENTON COUNTY Living Well Magazine | MARCH/APRIL 2019