How to avoid getting the flu: 7 things that really work

If you want to avoid getting the flu this winter, follow these 7 proven techniques for boosting your immune system, fighting off germs, and keeping your body healthy...

Get enough sleep Your immune system functions much better when you get enough sleep. Most people really need about 8 hours per night for optimal health. If you're body is fatigued, it simply won't be able to fight off the flu virus (or any other infection) very well.

Exercise regularly Exercise helps keep your immune system strong. In fact, a recent study showed that mice who performed mild exercise as soon as they were exposed to the flu virus had much lower death rates.

Avoid sugar Even small amounts of sugar can significantly impair your immune function, making you more susceptible to a flu infection. A large amount of sugar, such as the amount found in a normal can of soda, hurts your immune function for hours.

Drink lots of pure water Keeping your mucous membranes well-hydrated is a key to helping them fight off viruses. Shoot for about eight 8-ounce glasses per day.

Reduce stress Too much stress has a highly negative impact on your overall health and, over time, it will make you much more susceptible to a flu infection. Studies show that prolonged stress is at least partially responsible for 90% of all illness and disease. Regular exercise and sufficient sleep both help reduce stress levels. Also, meditation is a proven stress-buster that is easy, enjoyable and can be used on a daily basis.meditation

Wash your hands often Also, carry a bottle of alcohol-based hand sanitizer with you and use it frequently, especially after you touch anything that others have touched recently (like doorknobs).

Eat immune-boosting foods on a daily basis A healthy diet, including a few proven immune-boosting foods, is one of the best ways to avoid catching the flu. The best flu-fighting foods are:

Fresh, organically grown fruits and vegetables - Brightly colored fruits and vegetables are packed with healthy phytonutrients that can strengthen your immune system, lowering your susceptibility to the flu virus. Fresh raw or lightly-cooked garlic - Garlic has strong natural antiviral properties that can help to fight off a flu virus. Also, garlic provides a strong boost to your immune system, especially when eaten on a regular basis.

Green Tea - Like garlic, green tea has shown the ability to both kill viruses and to stimulate the immune system to fight off flu infections, especially when used daily. Try to drink 3-6 cups of strong green tea per day during the flu season. Cayenne Pepper - Cayenne has a long list of health benefits and is believed to be a mild immune-booster. Also, cayenne contains large amounts of natural vitamin A, considered to be an important "anti-infection" nutrient. Learn more about Flu superfoods...Learn more about Flu superfoods...

More Tips for Avoiding the Flu The following techniques have been shown to help minimize your exposure to the flu virus and reduce your odds of getting sick. Keep your hands away from your face and head. The flu virus enters your body through the eyes, nose, mouth, and possibly even the ears. Get fresh air every day. During the winter the dry heat from indoor heating systems dries out your mucous membranes and makes you more susceptible to viruses. If you can, during the day, crack open a window or two to give your body some relief. Drink little or no alcohol during flu season. Too much alcohol impairs liver & immune function, leaving you open to all kinds of infections. Heavy drinkers are especially susceptible to flu infections. Also, alcohol dehydrates your body which is always bad during flu season. Don't smoke... and avoid smoke-filled places. First & second-hand smoke significantly impairs your immune system; dries out your nasal passages; and, paralyzes cilia, the small hairs in your nose & lungs that help keep out viruses. Take regular saunas. Many experts believe taking a sauna several times a week can help to keep you from getting the flu. Many people, especially in Europe, take saunas just for this reason. The air you breath in a sauna is too hot for cold & flu viruses to survive.

Natural flu remedies Although there are no true "cures" for the flu, there are some natural treatments that seem to be able to "short circuit" the virus and minimize - or even eliminate - flu symptoms. For the most part, they all work best if used immediately at the outset of the flu. That is, within the first few hours after you start feeling like a flu may be coming on.

Hydrogen Peroxide There is evidence that the flu virus actually enters the body through the ear canals. Many natural health practitioners recommend putting a few drops of hydrogen peroxide in each ear every few hours as soon as flu symptoms appear. This kills the virus cells before they have time to multiply and spread. You can read about this very interesting and incredibly inexpensive technique at the follow sites: HealingDaily.com: Hydrogen peroxide in the ears for the flu Mercola.com: Hydrogen Peroxide for the Cold and Flu

Colloidal Silver Colloidal silver is a strong natural antibiotic and antiviral substance. It seems to disable an enzyme that harmful bacteria and viruses need in order to survive in the human body, killing them relatively quickly. Many people swear by colloidal silver's ability to 'knock-out' a flu infection within hours, especially when used as soon as symptoms appear. You can learn more at these sites: All-Natural.com: Colloidal Silver SilverMedicine.org

Elderberry Elderberry has very strong antioxidant properties and has been used to fight illness for centuries. Recent studies show that it may have potent antiviral and immune-boosting properties. Some people use elderberry extract to significantly shorten the duration of flu infections. KCWeb.com: Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) Overview Nutraingredients.com: Elderberry extract may reduce flu symptomsNutraingredients.com: Elderberry extract may reduce flu symptoms