From the LiveWell Office: Flu prevention tips and tricks
The year is ending, temperatures are dropping and the holiday season is in full swing. Yet winter brings another season that may not be as joyous: flu season. Flu season is caused by the prevalence of outbreaks of Influenza during the cold half of the year. While it is not entirely escapable, lifestyle changes and mindfulness can help fend off the viral monster.
Mike Cruise, health educator from CCU's LiveWell Office, spends his time informing students, faculty and staff about ways they can improve their physical and mental health through life choices, diet and exercise. As a health educator, his knowledge on ways to prevent influenza is beneficial, especially this time of year.
Along with getting the flu shot, Cruise suggests prioritizing the care of high-touch areas.
“The biggest recommendation is keeping stuff clean when you work in any office,” Cruise said. “There’s lots of people around and you don’t know who is sick or who has what.”
Many people will come to work while sick, not particularly thinking about spreading germs while coughing or sneezing. Wiping down high-touch areas consistently with an alcohol wipe, as well as keeping up basic hygiene like washing hands frequently will help prevent any sickness.
One of the reasons students get sick so easily during flu season is due to final exams occurring the same time, said Cruise. The combination of being stressed, not eating well and lack of exercise can damage the immune system, making students more susceptible to catching the flu. Students’ normal routines are different during finals week as well, which comprises the immune system even more.
“Their bodies are in a responsive state trying to repair everything,” Cruise said. “As staff and faculty, we interact with students all the time, making the spread of the flu a lot worse.”
Cruise’s advice is to upkeep normal routines as much as possible during the holiday season, in addition to eating well and exercising. Faculty and staff members have access to the HTC Center fitness floor and classes for free.
Exercising is a stress-inducing environment for the body; physical activity causes the body to release cortisol, the stress hormone, while in action. However, the level of cortisol released is decreased after exercising, causing less stress throughout the day.
“With any person who is experiencing a greater amount of stress, the constant release of cortisol is what damages the immune system,” Cruise said.
Sleep is also an important factor, tightly related to the body’s stress response. Whenever the body sleeps, a large amount of cortisol is released. When the recommended amount of seven or eight hours a night is not reached, the body begins to release more cortisol than it should. The more cortisol that is released, the harder it is for the body to fight off viruses and bacteria.
If influenza makes its way into the body, receiving treatment within 48 to 72 hours of being symptomatic is recommended. A variety of flu prevention medication is available at pharmacies, meant to shorten the length of the flu and ease the intensity of symptoms. For a more homeopathic remedy, check out the story in this edition of the newsletter about CCU lecturer Jessica Lowery's approach to medicine.
Overall, taking care of the body through hygiene, exercise, a healthy diet and sleep can make a world’s difference in how the immune system reacts to the flu virus this season. For more information, contact the LiveWell Office at 843-349-4031.
