5 Steps You Can Take to Avoid Getting Sick

With cold and flu season in full swing, it’s important to keep you and your family healthy. A runny nose, fever, chills and body aches are no fun. But, with the support of the care teams at Pomona Valley Health Centers (PVHC) located in Claremont, Chino Hills and Pomona, you can help protect your family from illness.

PVHC shares these 5 steps to help you avoid getting sick:

1. Wash Your Hands

Frequent hand washing is the best way to prevent the spread of germs and keep you healthy. Use warm water and soap, lather well, and clean between the fingers. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are helpful when a sink and soap aren’t available. Teach your children to wash their hands during the school day. When out and about, avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth, as germs are easily spread this way.

2. Get a Solid 8 Hours

Sleep is the time when your body restores itself. Getting adequate sleep helps boost your immune system, keeping it revved up and ready to fight germs. Adults should get 7 to 8 hours of sleep a night, teenagers 9 to 10 hours.

3. Don’t Forget to Exercise

Exercise is another immune-boosting activity, helping to support your body’s ability to fight illness. Exercise has also been shown to help manage stress, an immune system downer. Regular exercise helps keep your immune system in tip-top shape and you healthy. Hitting the gym to exercise? Be sure to use disinfecting wipes on the gym equipment, as they are a great source of germs.

4. Eat to Stay Healthy

A healthy, well-rounded diet helps boost the immune system. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein and healthy fats provides your body with an assortment of needed nutrients and antioxidants that help boost your immune system. Do you see a pattern here? A well functioning immune system keeps you healthy.

5. Get Your Flu Vaccine

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that everyone over the age of 6 months get a yearly flu vaccine. This is especially important for older adults, people with chronic health conditions and anyone who might have trouble fighting an illness. Prevention is the best medicine.

The CDC estimates that 20% of Americans will get the flu. Pomona Valley Health Centers doesn’t want you to be one of them!