Flu Shot Alternatives - 7 Ways To Stay Healthier If The Flu Shot Is Not An Option

The flu shot is a great way to boost your level of protection against the flu. But if your general health, medical treatments, or medication make your body too vulnerable to withstand it this year, here are 7 things you can do that will help you can stay healthier anyway.

Pick Your Company--As the weather changes many people are caught by cold and flu viruses. If they are sneezing and coughing, the small droplets that go airborne can be ingested or inhaled thus allowing the virus to spread form them to you, so avoid people who are obviously contagious.

Large groups of people should be avoided when possible as well because you can't always be sure who is and who is not contagious. School age children who are sick are also good to avoid because they don't always remember to cover their mouths when they sneeze or cough, and can very easily pass their germs to you.

Eat Your Vegetables--Your mother's advice was sound. Eating your vegetables, fruits, lean meats, fish, and foods that are low in fat, sugar, and salt are all ways to boost your immune system and make it more able to natural defend your body against contagions.

Disinfect Common Surfaces--Use antibacterial wipes at least weekly to wipe down commonly used surfaces such as handles, computer keyboards, door knobs, kitchen surfaces, microwave handles, refrigerator handles and surfaces in the bathroom.

The steering wheel, door handles, and other controls in your car are important places to wipe down as well. These are all places where germs can easily transfer from one hand to another and gain a foothold into your body through the mouth, nose, or eyes.

Stay Well Rested--Be sure to get proper rest. For most these means t least 6 to 8 hours of sleep. A body that is well rested is stronger and likely to be more effective in fighting germs.

Reduce Your Stress--This is easier said than done, but if you take this in small pieces it will help make your days more enjoyable, thereby reducing stress. How? Set aside some time every day to do something you like.

Take time to laugh. It's a cheap and effective way to release tension and stress. Make time for you. There is seemingly always time for everyone else's request, and in fact there's time for yours too--you just have to take it.

Be creative about the activities you choose, and vary them often. Watching a favorite TV show, video, or movie on days when the weather is bad can be just what the doctor ordered. Walking your dog, sprucing up the garden, or having a massage are all great ideas. You matter too! Keeping your stress level at a minimum allows your body to focus its resources on staying healthy.

Wash Your Hands--This is probably something your mom use to tell you too. And she was right again. Keeping your hands clean is still one of the best ways to avoid germs.

Wash them when you get to a new place (like work or school), and wash them again when you come home. This cuts down on germs ability to travel from one place to another.

Use A Medical Grade HEPA Air Purifier--Filtering the an air purifier that has a medical grade high efficiency particle arresting (often shortened to HEPA) filter means that you are able to reduce the number of bacteria and viruses in your air down to .3 microns.

By definition, a HEPA has to remove 99.97% of .3 micron particles with 99.97% efficiency. Or put another way, it will remove 99,997 particles out of every 10,000 which greatly reduces the number of bacteria and viruses that will be able to find you this flu season.