It’s September! Kids are back in school, teachers back at work, the weather is getting colder and people are getting colds. Who among us hasn’t been in the situation where everyone around you seems to be getting sick? When that happens what are some of the things you can do to keep from catching whatever is going around?
The most simple thing is frequently washing your hands with soap and water. Do you remember being little and learning how to was your hands? As adults it’s something we do often but often not very well. To make sure you’re washing long enough try singing the ABC’s or some other short song in your head. Be sure to get in between your fingers and under your nails. When you’re done dry your hands with a paper towel (this is one of the most important parts!) friction from drying your hands will kill more bacteria then the soap you use. When you’re done turn off the water using a new paper towel.
Good eating habits help to keep our bodies strong. By eating local and seasonal foods we are more likely to avoid illness that comes along with seasonal changes. On top of that a long term, consistently healthy diet improves overall health which includes strengthening the immune system. This makes us more able to fight off whatever we may come in contact with from the common cold to the flu.
Ever have a day where you didn’t get enough sleep the night before? Do you remember how everything seems a little harder to do, moving and thinking alike? That’s because sleep is when the body recharges, heals and detoxifies itself. When we skimp on sleep we are robbing ourselves of this much needed resource. Good sleep is something that not only helps us to keep illness away, it helps us get rid of illness when it’s present.
One of the worst things we as Americans do for ourselves is to keep ourselves in a state of constant low grade stress. This type of stress hurts everything from our posture and circulation to our mental health. Being in this state of stress keeps our bodies from functioning as well as they could and as well as they should. All of this contributes to a weakening of the immune system which makes us more prone to catching whatever happens to be going around.
Be sure to keep up with all the things you do to maintain your health. Things like acupuncture and massage are not only for when you have an issue to sort out. By getting regular work you will be more likely to stay healthy, even when everyone around you is sick. It’s not to late to start preventive care. Schedule an appointment today!