Take Care! The Flu Is Almost Everywhere

Posted on: January 15, 2016

Well, the good news is that the flu could be worse here in California. The bad news — not by much.

This map from the Centers for Disease Control shows that influenza is widespread throughout much of the country as of Jan. 9. In California it’s affecting the entire region.

With that in mind, I’d like to share with you my seven top personal tips and tricks to staying healthy. These ideas are all based on research articles and experience. And using each item on the list will nudge you and your immune system toward optimum health. If you have any questions about how to apply any item to you, just ask me on your next office visit.

Simple But Effective  

The ideas below are my personal suggestions on ways to strengthen your ability to stay healthy during flu season. These suggestions are especially valuable during the winter months when more indoor living promotes reduced exercise and can lead to increased exposure to pathogens.  There are no guarantees of course, but the items below are very likely to improve your odds of staying healthy.

There are also a variety of natural products that could help strengthen you and your immune system. We usually have a few of our favorites available in the office. And of course, don’t hesitate to see your medical physician for help as well if you become ill.

My Top Seven Keys To Staying Healthy

• Wash Your Hands
  The importance of simple hand washing is often forgotten or neglected, but it’s one of the most proven methods for reducing the transmission of illness. Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and develop habits that keep your hands away from the eyes, nose and mouth. Use an alcohol-based rub when soap and water are not available.

• Exercise
  Regular exercise is very strengthening for the whole body including the immune system. Research studies show that this is true as long as the exercise is moderate in intensity.Intensive strenuous exercise or training, however, can actually weaken the immune system, so if you are feeling vulnerable to getting sick it would be best to moderate your exercise level.

• Get Adjusted More Often
  There are multiple sources of evidence in the research record that chiropractic treatments actually improve immune response, so getting a tune up chiropractic adjustment is another key.

• Vitamin D
  Being indoors more in the winter can reduce your Vitamin D levels, and adequate Vitamin D is essential for strong immune response. Take a quality Vitamin D supplement.

• Diet and Supplements
  The body needs raw materials to build a defense system.  So the more your diet is balanced toward healthier foods and the more regularly you take the supplements you know you need, the better your chances are of staying healthy.

• Sleep and Rest
  Lack of sleep and inadequate rest can easily stress the body and weaken the immune system. Make sure you plan time for sleep in your schedule.

• Stress Reduction
  Psychological and emotional stress reduce immunity so if you are feeling stressed do something about it. For example, meditation has been shown to improve the immune response.

There you have it… my top seven keys to staying healthy during flu season!

Of course there are many more techniques and ideas you may have already heard about, but these are my favorites. They are simple and very effective at the same time. Give yourself a better chance to be healthy by trying some or all of these ideas.

 

At Westlake Village Chiropractic Arts, we are committed to supporting you in your journey of greater health & well-being. Contact us for your next visit.

Posted in: Health & Well Being

Tagged with: back pain, Chiropractic Services, Cranial Therapy, General health, Migraines, neck pain, Nutrition, stress, Therapeutic Exercises, Vector Point Chiropractic, Vector Point Cranial Therapy