There has been so much talk lately about the flu, be it swine flu, bird flu or regular garden variety flu. There has also been a lot of over-exaggeration, both of the dangers of the current flus, and the effectiveness and safety of the solutions being offered. It is now becoming increasingly clear that the reported devastation of the swine flu (just like the bird flu before it) is not going to eventuate. This got me thinking.
Wouldn't it be great if there was a solution that was intelligent and adaptable enough to fight off all of these different strains of flu - as well as any that may develop in the future? A solution that had no side-effects or hidden dangers. A solution that was cheap and readily available. A solution that would be available to the masses and would not be controlled by Big Pharma. And perhaps most importantly, a solution that the flu cannot become resistant to.
Well the good news is, there is. It is called your immune system. The best way to prepare for the flu season is to make sure your immune system is in tip-top shape, so here are some tips to help make sure you are ready.
- Get some rest. Everyone knows that their immune system functions better when they are well-rested, but sometimes that is easier said than done. Perhaps this latest flu scare with help you realise that now is the time to start prioritising the rest your body needs.
- Get some sunshine. Sounds like the kind of advice your grandma would give, doesn't it. But latest research shows that getting enough sun (and hence vitamin D) is vitally important for your immune function.
- Avoid sugar. Diets high in sugars and processed carbohydrates have been shown to reduce the effectiveness of your immune system.
- De-stress. Take some ‘me time' to do something that helps you relax. The human stress response is known to decrease your immune response and hence your ability to fight off the flu.
- Exercise. Regular exercise is also a great way to switch off your body's stress response, as well as increasing your immune function.
- Omega 3s. Eating a diet that is high in Omega 3s (organic grass-fed meats and fish) will help keep your immune system fighting fit.
- Wash your hands. Whilst your body is great at fighting off illness and disease there is no point making it work harder than it needs to. Washing your hands with water and chemical-free soaps will help minimise the spread of the virus in you and to others.
- Eat your fruits and veggies. Once again, simple old-fashioned advice: nourish your body and your immune system.
Will doing these things make you invincible? Perhaps not. But they will greatly increase your chance of fighting off the flu without having to resort to antiviral drugs and vaccines and their associated side-effects.
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