Ways Doctors Prevent the Flu
Wash Your Hands to Keep Germs Away
The advice you’ve probably heard dozens of times from your doctor -- wash your hands throughout the day -- really does prevent infections, and all the doctors we talked to said they do it religiously. “I wash my hands or use a hand sanitizer before and after every patient,” says Christopher Tolcher, MD, a pediatrician in the Los Angeles area and clinical assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine in Los Angeles. “I probably wash my hands 40 to 50 times a day.”
Exercise for Immunity
A jog around the block a few times a week not only can do wonders for your physique -- it also might prevent you from getting sick. “I try to get 20 to 30 minutes of cardio every morning before I go to work,” Fryhofer says. “There’s something about making your heart pump that’s good for your body. It strengthens your heart and strengthens your immune system.”
View the full article at: www.webmd.com
Don't Bite Your Nails
Unless you're constantly washing your hands (and your phone and your keyboard), your fingers are probably covered in germs that can infect your portal entries, like your eyes, nose, and throat, says New York-based doctor Louis J. Morledge, MD. Plus, Germs build up underneath your nails, and biting them is a surefire way to let bacteria into your body, says Scott S. Topiol, RN, and president of Murseworld.com.
View the full article at: www.prevention.com
Start Out Healthy
If there’s one secret I consider the most important, it’s this one — people who start out with good general health have well-functioning immune systems and are less likely to get sick. And even if they do catch a cold or flu, their symptoms typically are less severe and won’t last as long as they would for an unhealthy person.
Most people already know that the main factors in staying healthy are nutrition, exercise, sleep, and low-stress levels. The secret is finding out how to work these healthy habits into your lifestyle.
Luckily, it’s easier than you think. For example, you can slowly start working healthier foods into your meals by adding a favorite vegetable to one meal per day. When it comes to stress, even 10 minutes of meditation or listening to music can do a lot to help you relax. Taking a short walk or lifting weights during your lunch hour is better exercise than doing nothing. Plus getting eight hours of sleep each night will give you the strength to do everything else more easily.
Keep Hand Sanitizer Handy
Doctors always keep alcohol-based hand sanitizers nearby because they provide a quick way to disinfect hands. They also tend to be less irritating to your skin than repeated hand washing.
View full article at: www.everydayhealth.com
Reduce Your Contact with Germs
Dr. Nadolsky explained that another way doctors stay healthy is by reducing their contact with germs. More than hand-washing, that means you ought to regularly clean surfaces (including your keyboard, smartphone, and anything else you touch regularly) and avoid touching your face.
View the full article at: mind-hacks.wonderhowto.com