How To Protect Yourself From the Flu Without Getting Vaccinated

IF you are against or not planning on getting a flu shot this year, here’s some alternative tips to keeping yourself protected from catching it.

I  don’t get flu shots.  Well, actually, I did get a flu shot once in college, and guess what? I got the flu that year. Since then, I refuse to get a flu shot [aversion to needles] and have not caught a flu since.  Doesn’t hurt that I’m young and healthy, but on the other hand, I do work in extremely close proximity to clients on a daily basis so it’s not like I’m a hermit.

Most all of this is common sense you’ve probably heard countless times before, still worth repeating until it’s drilled permanently into your brain.  Also a few new ones I haven’t heard myself and am now doing on a daily basis.

One new bit that deserves further research is this bit about cutting an onion in half. Apparently it acts as an air purifier or absorber of germs.

Here’s some more advice – #3 is one I hadn’t heard before and am now doing.  It really helps even when you just have a bit of a tickle in your throat from allergies or a germ? eek!

The only portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/throat. In a global epidemic of this nature, it’s almost impossible to avoid coming into contact with H1N1 in spite of all precautions. Contact with H1N1 is not so much of a problem as proliferation is. While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections, some very simple steps, not fully highlighted in most official communications, can be practiced (instead of focusing on how to stock N95 or Tamiflu):

• 1. Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official communications).
• 2. “Hands-off-the-face” approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of face (unless you want to eat, bathe or slap).
• 3. *Gargle twice a day with warm salt water. *H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/ nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected one. Don’t underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method.
• 4. Similar to 3 above, *clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water. *Not everybody may be good at Jala Neti or Sutra Neti (very good Yoga asanas to clean nasal cavities), but *blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population.*
• 5. *Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C (Amla and other citrus fruits). *If you have to supplement with Vitamin C, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption. Shaklee’s NUTRIFERON is an excellent immunity booster that should be taken all of the time for better health.
• 6. *Drink as much of warm liquids (tea, coffee, etc) as you can. *Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm.

I’ll add to these, the common sense but often not followed guidelines of:

1. Moderation in everything you do
2. Get Enough Sleep
3. Exercise Regularly
4. Reduce or eliminate intake of refined sugars and ‘fake foods’ – fast food, artificial additives and preservatives
5. Supplement your diet with quality Nutritional Vitamins and Supplements
6. Take time for yourself and engage in something you love to do