Norwalk, CT (PRWEB) October 2, 2007
Fall has started, and with the turn of the leaves and the change of colors also come the signs of cold and flu season. Taking safety measures to keep the entire family healthy is the best thing parents can do before winter reaches its peak, recommends PremierHealth Plus, a leading healthcare savings program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC.
Some cold viruses reproduce better with the cool, drier conditions of winter, and since everyone tends to stay inside -- clustered at home, school or the workplace -- there are more chances for those viruses to spread from one person to the other. Plus encourages consumers to take a proactive approach by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and using all available resources to keep cold viruses out of their home.
PremierHealthPlus offers some anti-cold and flu tips to keep in mind:
-- Wash your hands. During winter, people spend more time together in enclosed spaces, sharing the same organisms and bacteria through surfaces such as tables, doorknobs and handles, so it's essential to wash these bacteria off to prevent their spread. Another good tip is to use a hand sanitizer every so often while visiting places such as school, the supermarket, and the ATM, among others.
-- Get plenty of sleep. A tired body won't fight viruses and bacteria as well as a well-rested one. People who are under stress and struggling with allergies or fatigue are more susceptible to colds, so a good night's sleep is a great way to boost the immune system and help prevent one.
-- Exercise regularly. Aerobic exercise is highly recommended during cold and flu season; it speeds up the heart, makes you breath faster and pumps more blood and oxygen through the body. Any kind of exercise, but particularly aerobic exercise, increases the body's natural virus-killing cells.
-- Go outdoors. Contrary to what one might thing, breathing fresh, cold air during winter helps the body feel stronger. Throughout cold months, people tend to stay indoors, which creates a better environment for germs to spread; central heating dries out the body and makes it more susceptible to viruses.
-- Eat healthy. Along with proper rest, good eating habits are a key to maintaining a cold-free body. Include red, yellow and dark green fruits and vegetables in your diet, along with whole grains and yogurt. A more natural approach suggests increasing the consumption of vitamin C, zinc and echinacea. Although there's no scientific proof that these elements have a protective effect against cold and flu, it has been shown that they do help decrease the symptoms of common colds. Along with a good diet, drinking a lot of fluids is highly recommended. Liquids help you flush out your system, washing out bacteria that you might have gotten from someone.
-- Stay home. Germs are everywhere, and sometimes it's just not possible to avoid them. In case you do get the flu, stay home and take care of yourself. You don't want to feel lousy while interacting with coworkers, and you certainly don't want to be responsible for making everyone else in the office sick.
PremierHealthPlus members can access a nationwide network of 400,000 healthcare providers and enjoy discounts on a wide range of healthcare needs, including chiropractic care services and other alternative medicine treatments. The whole family can take advantage of the benefits offered by PremierHealth Plus.
About PremierHealth Plus
PremierHealthPlus is a leading membership discount program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC. Headquartered in Norwalk, Conn., Adaptive Marketing is a category leader in membership programs, bringing value direct to consumers through an array of benefits in healthcare, discounts, security, personal property and personals. Members may access their benefits at PremierHealthPlus123.com. With broad online and offline distribution capabilities, Adaptive Marketing offers its corporate client partners effective tools to enhance market presence, strengthen customer affinity and generate additional value through programs such as PremierHealth Plus.