It’s officially been dubbed one of the worst flu seasons in over 30 years. I was shocked to learn that more than 36,000 people die each year just because of the flu! This year, they are projecting that more than 50,000 people may die due to the flu that is rapidly spreading.
Unfortunately we spent part of the Christmas holiday down with the flu and are working harder than ever to keep it from reoccurring at our house. You know how it is with kids – they bring it home and one after another, it slowly makes it through the house and then mom gets it! We all know there is no downtime for moms, so its more important than ever to take precautions to keep everyone healthy.
The Powell Pack is doing a few things to keep the germs in check and keep us all healthy! Here’s what we’re focused on:
Washing Our Hands
I know that sounds obvious but are you “really” washing your hands? Along with soap and warm water, make sure you’re actually lathering up long enough that the soap can kill those germs. We like to sing Twinkle, Twinkle LIttle Star or even run through the ABC’s as a guide to knowing we’ve lathered up long enough. Hand sanitizers can be good, but there is nothing like good washed hands (and don’t forget to change those hand towels extra frequently).
Exercise and Sleep
Yes, those two words do actually go together! Exercise can stimulate the immune system and promote healthy sleep – two things this busy mom can?t do without!?Speaking of sleep, are you getting enough? Our bodies heal and regenerate while we sleep. Everyone is different, but the old rule of thumb still applies: eight hours a night works wonders. Turn off the TV, iPad, and cell phone and allow yourself to rest.
Hydrate
It?s just as important to stay hydrated during the winter as it is during the hot summer months. You should be drinking at least half your body weight in ounces of water a day. So if you weigh 200 pounds, you need a minimum of 100 ounces of water daily. If you?re feeling the sniffles coming on, bump that up by adding a few cups of herbal tea to your day.
Stay Home
It might be a bit harsh to say, but if you are sick, STAY HOME! I learned this the hard way during the holidays when I thought I was on the mend, went to a family party and managed to get all of them sick within 24 hours. Not fun!
If your kids are sick, do everyone a favor and keep them home. You hear of so many people showing up at school and work sick because they just didn’t want the kids to miss any school and they had some big project at work that they had to do. Exposing other people to your ailments just perpetuates the problem and adds to the challenges of keeping everyone well.
By following these simple, but effective steps, you can help keep the illnesses in check and keep your home a healthy one and hopefully, your family well!
