Annual physical exams and seasonal vaccinations are the best way to prevent hospitalization. Get your age-appropriate COVID, FLU, Pneumovax, and Shingles vaccines. Speak with your healthcare provider to be sure you stay on track.
Protect your immune system. Wash your hands regularly and be cautious of touching surfaces such as door handles, stair rails, restaurant menus, credit card processing machines, and elevator buttons during flu season. Use hand sanitizer when water is not available to clean hands.
Prepare for school age kids to be exposed to germs in the classroom. As students spend more time indoors around other classmates, they may unknowingly spread seasonal viral infections such as the common cold. Kids should be encouraged not to share food during lunch. They should also wash their hands throughout the school day, and especially after using hand rails, door handles, and public drinking fountains
Sterilize your most touched items — Your cell phone, keyboard, remote, and tablet are all germ habitats. It’s good to make it a habit to sanitize these areas with Clorox wipes. Throughout cold and flu season, you’ll definitely want to make sure you’re sanitizing these areas weekly, if not daily.
Get Plenty of Rest - as the sun goes down earlier, it can throw off your natural rhythm. Try to maintain a sleep schedule of at least seven hours and keep your normal bedtime and waking hours the same as the rest of the year
Consume immunity-boosting foods — Eating healthy foods with vitamin C (like limes, oranges, and tangerines) are key to fighting off infections. Garlic, ginger, spinach, and almonds are also big winners when it comes to boosting your health and immunity. Some of the nutrient dense options to consider adding to your plate: Brussels sprouts, butternut squash, crab apples, cranberries, and turnips.
Get enough vitamin D — This essential vitamin helps the body absorb calcium. When fall arrives, daylight one source of vitamin D is less available. That’s why it’s important to eat a varied diet in order to maintain appropriate vitamin D levels through fall and winter. Cod liver oil, salmon, tuna, and milk are a few ways to get your vitamin D.
Prepare for seasonal allergies. Change air filters to ensure that the allergens in the old filter do not remain in the ventilation system. If you have seasonal allergies, track pollen levels to see when to shut your windows. Start dusting and cleaning out your living space. Remove your shoes as soon as you enter your home so as to not track pollen inside.
Dress correctly for the weather. During the fall there is a greater temperature range. Mornings and evenings can be quite cool, while the middle of the day may be warm. It’s best to dress in layers. Remove layers as the day gets warmer. Keep an extra jacket and Umbrella handy just in case it rains or turns cool. or rains suddenly.
Enjoy the cooler weather outdoors — Now that the cooler weather is here, there’s no better time to enjoy the outdoors. Take in the beauty of the changing leaves, the crisp air, and the sounds of nature.
Enjoy the beautiful fall harvest and the crisp outdoor weather. Remember the above health tips so that you can remain healthy.
