Flu - and new viruses - do come round every year. It's the nature of things. We will never get rid of them completely.
But flu - and flu like viruses - can obviously be really nasty for children and the elderly and those in our families with respiratory and immunity problems.
And there are simple, powerful things we can do to help protect our family from flu without getting ourselves into a blind panic and hiding away every time a new virus appears.
A flu jab can offer protection for vulnerable members of our family but simple hygiene habits can also massively increase family flu protection.
And its those simple hygiene habits - the one's our granny knew - that we all too often forget in our crazily over busy lives.
Simple Hygiene Habits
The World Health Organization have made clear the critical importance of good hygiene habits : their number one guideline for flu prevention, after vaccination, is simply proper hand washing.
We all know it's important but do we do it?
And do our kids do it? When they're not with us?
I mean do you honestly know if your kids' school requires them all to wash their hands before they eat? And actually gives them time to do it?
They used to. But not so much now.
How crazy is that? We have fancy hand gels - that don't work as well - and spray nasty cleaning chemicals everywhere but we don't make enough time in our kids lives for them to wash their hands properly before lunch!!!
So, if we really want to protect our families from flu and other viruses these are the key family flu protection tips we need to focus our efforts on.
Do have a read through & save them for later. They truly can help.
Key Cold & Flu Protection Tips
Wash Hands Well Frequently
Washing hands well with hot water and soap for at least a minute, especially before meals is the single most powerful thing we can all do protect ourselves from colds and seasonal bugs.
Washing hands well means :
- Wetting
- Lathering with soap
- And then scrubbing between fingers
- ... in nails and
- ... up to and around wrists
- ... for 2 verses of Happy Birthday
- Before rinsing well and drying.
Nag the whole family about it everyday and supervise small children doing it.
You could also try these fun activities with kids to learn about germs ...
Check School Hand Wash Procedures
Children are typically more vulnerable to colds, flu and seasonal bugs and are key carriers.
Their gorgeously grubby little hands also help transmit everything from pinworms and head lice to cold sores and tummy bugs!!
In the midst of a busy school day they easily forget basic hand washing routines. Even junior and middle school kids and teenagers need reminding to wash hands before meals. Check what your kids school do.
Use Hand Gel As Backup
Hot soapy water is more effective at protecting us from bugs than alcohol based gels. They are worth carrying as a back up but used only if hand washing isn't possible
Wash Hands When You Come In
We obviously are more exposed to flu and viruses in public spaces whether at the shops or work or on public transport so its just sensible to wash hands when we come in.
Boost Immunity
Simple changes to family eating habits can also boost our immunity to flu and viruses. Less sugar and more vitamin C and iron obviously but better gut health is also key as our gut is our major line of defence against sickness and it needs loads of good bacteria in it to do that job. Use this list of over 50 different gut friendly foods to restore family gut health.
Change Hand Towels Frequently
We've all got very good at wearing clothes once and bunging them in the wash but a bit rubbish at washing stuff like towels. We'd be better off washing clothes less and shared towels more. Especially when anyone is sick.
Wash Towels On Hot Wash
There's lots of advice around about washing at lower temperatures to save energy and help the plant but I am a tad sceptical.
Don't get me wrong, I'm all in for living a more eco friendly lifestyle AND for saving money on energy bills but towels are a breeding ground for bugs - including pinworms - and need a hot wash.
Disinfect High Contact Areas Without Bleach
We don't need to clean our homes obsessively or spray chemicals everywhere to protect our families from sickness but regularly wiping down high contact areas like door handles, light switches, fridge doors and computers with vinegar or rubbing alcohol can help contain infection without using bleach that has a whole load of health risks.
Get Enough Rest
Our bodies are much more vulnerable to flu and infection when we're over tired or down right exhausted. Proper sleep every night AND proper rest every week can increase our family's ability to fight flu and viruses. Again it's that simple.
Wash Water Bottles Well
Many of us now carry reusable water bottles and coffee cups and if we're honest give them a quick rinse most days rather than a proper wash in hot water and soap. They need that proper wash daily.
Sneeze Protection
Cough and sneezing over each other is obviously a major way we spread infection. Getting back into the ritual of carrying a clean handkerchief everyday - even when we're not sick - and covering out mouth and nose when we cough and sneeze is another simple but powerful hygiene habit the World Health Organisation recommends to protect us from flu.
Improve Gut Health
Antibiotics are obviously unbelievably important in helping us fight disease but over use is fuelling the rise of super bugs. And antibiotics actually destroy the good bacteria in our gut which is a key part of our immune system. If anyone in the family does end up on antibiotics make sure you restore their gut health with pro-biotic rich food.
Stay Home With Early Symptoms
This flu protection tip is obviously not possible for lots of people but working from home for a day or so - and resting - when we first feel rough with a flu or virus can help our immune systems kick in effectively and stop germs being passed around.
Trash Tissues Properly
Once anyone in the family gets sick, trashing tissues properly is key. Give people a paper bag to put used tissues in and bin the bags frequently throughout the day in an outside bin.
Granny's Remedies
Research now shows granny's old remedies like chicken broth and honey and lemon and simple herbs can help us get better when anyone in the family has basic flu, cold and cough symptoms.
Try simple traditional recipes chock full of natural antibiotics we already have in our kitchens that sooth symptoms, fight infection and critically help us rest.
There's a big collection of quick natural remedies to ease cold and flu symptoms ...
Sadly, flu and nasty viruses will keep coming back. We will never defeat them completely and we will suffer with them. But rediscovering these super simple good hygiene habits really can help protect our families by reducing the likelihood of infection and boosting our immune systems so our bodies can fight back.
I really hope you found these tips helpful. Do save them for later.
And for more simple healthy living tips do follow me on Pinterest and on Twitter.
Original image sources: thermometers, child , hands under Creative Commons
Leave a Reply