Avoiding the Flu This Season: home is the first line of defense

By: Ellen Frick, Outreach Coordinator, NHS of Baltimore

There are countless precautions you can take to stay healthy this flu season, starting in your own home. Surrounding yourself with a healthy environment can mean better health. Everyone knows the importance of washing your hands thoroughly but think about how many things your hands touch each day in your house. Disinfect your home to keep your family healthy this flu season. While sanitizing your home is not a guaranteed safeguard against getting sick, it can help. Click here to read about simple cleaning tips to make your home a healthier place to be.

Don’t forget to treat your body well too. There is no need to go out and buy expensive vitamins or remedies. Eating Vitamin C rich foods such as oranges and drinking tea with antioxidants are affordable ways to improve your immune system. Don’t feel pressured to buy a product just because it guarantees immunity. Read CNN’s H1N1 flu-to-do (and don’t do) list for more tips on staying healthy. You may be surprised that there are a lot of ways that we put ourselves at risk for the flu without even realizing it.

The key to protecting yourself from illness is not to worry to much or too little. Educate yourself on signs, symptoms, and remedies for sickness. For instance, there are simple ways to tell if you are coming down with the flu or just a cold.

For more information on how to keep yourself and your family healthy this flu season, check out the Educational Fitness Solution’s free webinar on November 11, 2009 from 9:00am to 10:00am est.