| As fall turns to winter, cold and flu season moves | | | | open the washroom door. Toss the paper towel into |
| into full swing. | | | | the garbage receptacle as you leave. |
| As fall turns to winter, cold and flu season moves | | | | Stay Well Hydrated |
| into full swing. Last year was a record year for colds | | | | Be sure to drink plenty of fluids to keep your body |
| and flu and this year health officials predict it will be | | | | well hydrated. In summer, we tend to drink a lot |
| even worse. We must take precautions so the cold | | | | because it is hot. It's easy to neglect hydration when |
| and flu season doesn't catch us off guard. | | | | the weather turns cool. To keep your body well |
| High Risk Individuals | | | | hydrated, drink eight to ten cups of fluid each day. |
| Though anyone can come down with a cold or the | | | | Part of your fluid intake should be water. Other |
| flu, there are certain individuals who are at high risk. | | | | sources of fluids include fruit and vegetable juices, |
| These include: | | | | milk, tea and coffee. Raw fruits and vegetables are |
| - Senior citizens. | | | | also a source of fluid. Keeping your body well |
| - Pregnant women. | | | | hydrated will flush out all toxins and help you to ward |
| - Diabetics. | | | | off colds and the flu. |
| - Heart patients. | | | | Healthy Food Choices |
| - Toddlers. | | | | Make healthy food choices. Humans tend to eat |
| - Those with chronic diseases or those who are | | | | more in the winter months. Eat well balanced meals |
| receiving chemo therapy or radiation treatments. | | | | and be sure to include fish in your diet at least once |
| - Children with disabilities or chronic diseases. | | | | a week. Fish provides the body with Omega oils that |
| - Those with compromised immune systems such as | | | | help to boost the immune system. Eat lots of fiber |
| HIV or AIDS patients. | | | | and cut back on sweets, snacks and fast food to |
| If you are an individual who is in this high risk bracket, | | | | ensure your diet includes important antioxidants that |
| talk to your family physician or health care | | | | fight off colds and the flu. |
| professional to determine if you should have a flu | | | | Be Active |
| shot. | | | | In winter the majority of people become less active. |
| If you aren't in this high risk category, there are a | | | | Don't be a couch potato. If you dislike cold weather, |
| few things you can do to reduce the chance of | | | | create an exercise regime that you can participate in |
| coming down with a cold or the flu. | | | | within the comfort of your home. If you need others |
| Hand Washing | | | | to motivate you, consider joining the YM-YWCA or a |
| If you want to ward off colds and the flue, wash | | | | local gym or recreation facility. |
| your hands frequently throughout the day. To wash | | | | If you like cold weather, take the kids tobogganing, |
| your hands thoroughly, wet them with warm, not | | | | go cross country or downhill skiing, snowmobiling, ice |
| hot, water. Apply a generous amount of soap and | | | | skating or try snowshoeing. Winter sports can be lots |
| massage it into your hands and around fingertips and | | | | of fun and they help us to ward off germs that |
| fingernails for thirty seconds. Clean with soap all the | | | | cause colds and the flu. |
| way up your forearms to your elbows. Rinse | | | | If you eat a well balanced diet, wash your hands |
| thoroughly, being certain not to leave any soap | | | | frequently and thoroughly, stay hydrated and get lots |
| residue. Dry your hands well. If you're in a public | | | | of exercise, you will stay in optimum health through |
| washroom, wash your hands in the same manner as | | | | the long winter months and won't have to cope with |
| described above and dry them with a paper towel. | | | | a cold or the flu. |
| Use the paper towel to shut off the tap and then to | | | | |