Stay healthy during flu season with these simple tips!

Although the change in seasons is beautiful to experience and a lot more comfortable than the hot and humid Georgia summer air, it also comes with flu season. As many people may know, germs run rampant in communities with a large group of people in close contact, such as schools, offices, and of course, retirement communities. In addition, our immune system defenses can weaken with age, making those at retirement communities vulnerable to fall illnesses like the flu. At Marshall Pines Transitional Assisted Living and Memory Care, our expert staff is always geared up and ready for whenever flu season comes around so our residents remain the pictures of health.

Read through these helpful tips to be sure you and your loved ones are prepared as well with the arrival of flu season:

Drink plenty of fluids

A hydrated body is a happy body. Increasing the amount of water, or even tea, that you drink each day can help your body battle unwanted germs more effectively. The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine noted that an adequate amount of water is about 15.5 cups of water per day for men, and 11.5 cups for women. Keep in mind, though, that caffeinated drinks will actually dehydrate you more, so if you’re feeling sick, be sure to lay off the coffee!

Keep things clean

It may seem elementary, but everyone needs the reminder every now and then to keep things clean! Be sure to wash your hands as soon as you come home from grocery shopping or being in a public place, as well as before eating a meal or snack. When washing your hands, be sure to use soap and fairly hot water, and scrub for 20 seconds. At home, be sure to sanitize door knobs, light switches, TV remotes, and any other high traffic areas. If people around you are starting to get sick, you should even avoid shaking hands and hugging for the time being!

Exercise regularly

Exercise has incredible benefits for your body beyond just toning some muscle! It’s been proven that regular exercise can help increase your immune system’s ability to fight off infectious bacteria because it increases the circulation of your immune cells. At Marshall Pines, we offer weekly physical activities for residents of all fitness levels, like armchair yoga to strength training to a game of horseshoes!

Avoid unnecessary travel

Fall is when the holiday season starts to roll around, making this tip a little harder to follow. We encourage seeing family for the major holidays. But if there’s unnecessary travel in between those days you can skip out on, take that into consideration, especially if you already don’t feel well! Planes and trains are filled with people, making them also filled with germs! If you’re in a highly crowded space, look to sit near a window or a vent so you have more air circulation near you.

At the end of the day, if you don’t feel well, the safest thing you can do for yourself and those around you is to stay home. When you go out and about while being sick, that’s how germs spread. But you can rest assured knowing that at Marshall Pines, we have ionized air filtering that removes 99% of viruses, bacteria, and other airborne particulates while our staff cleans throughout the community multiple times a day.

To learn more about our Georgia transitional assisted living and memory care community or to schedule a Marshall Pines tour, contact our friendly team today.

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