Spring and flu are here: 5 tips to keep you healthy

(BPT) - Spring is almost here but people are still talking about flu. Like the persistent winter storms that have blanketed much of the country week after week, this year’s flu cases started early and they’re still widespread in many parts of the country. There were several different strains of the flu circulating, which meant that some people came down with the flu twice.

With the threat of flu still out there, here are five flu tips from Nurse Barb Dehn for spring so you can protect yourself and your family.

1. Wipe it down and wash your hands

The winter storms have left you drained from endless laundry, however, good old-fashioned hand washing and wiping down surfaces is more important now than ever. Keep hand sanitizer in your backpack or purse, wash your hands and wipe down surfaces especially when anyone in the house has a runny nose or cough.

2. Get your zzz’s

There’s abundant research that shows adults do best with seven to eight hours of restful sleep each night. Sleep is essential for a healthy immune system to restore and refresh itself. Not only does plenty of restful sleep help keep you healthy, it also helps you recover if you are dealing with a cold or flu. NyQuil Severe can control your worst cold and flu symptoms, including cough, so you can get the rest you need at night.

3. Let the sunshine in

A key nutrient for a healthy immune system is vitamin D, which is known as the sunshine vitamin because your skin uses sun exposure to make it. Vitamin D is also found in fortified milk. Vitamin D helps bolster your immune systems and helps prevent some infections and some types of cancer.

4. Keep your medicine cabinet stocked up

When the worst flu or cold symptoms hit, the last thing you want to do is reach for your keys to run out for tissues and over-the-counter remedies. Be prepared and keep your medicine cabinet stocked with effective maximum strength multi-symptom relief, like DayQuil Severe.

5. Exercise

Did you know that as little as 10-20 minutes of exercise each day can decrease your likelihood of catching a cold by as much as 50 percent? Exercise helps your immune system function better and helps ward off colds and flu. As the weather improves, exercise outside can help you catch some sun and boost your immune system.

If you have further questions or concerns about the flu, contact your health care provider.