Day 66

The rapid spread of swine flu in India has raised some concerns amongst us...so let me do the socially responsible thing and share a few smart flu prevention techniques with everyone......

1) Please Wash Your Hands with Good Soap:

And wash them often, in hot soapy water, and for the amount of time it takes you to sing "Happy Birthday" twice (15-20 seconds).

2) Get Enough Sleep:

This means slightly different things to different people, but try to get 8 hours of good rest each night to keep your immune system in top flu-fighting shape....so our partying must be kept to a minimum.

3) Keep Hydrated

Drink 8-10 8-oz. glasses of water each day to flush toxins from your system and maintain good moisture and mucous production in your sinuses.....good, we all have our water bottles...

4) Eat Immune-Boosting Foods

Keeping your body strong, nourished, and ready to fight infection It is important in flu prevention. Fatty foods can slow your metabolism,make you feel sluggish, and compromise your immune system. So stick with whole grains, colorful vegetables, and vitamin-rich fruits....and the Mediterranean diet has been really good for us..

5)Avoid Alcohol

In addition to being a mood depressant, alcohol is an immune suppressant that can actually decrease your resistance to viral infections like swine flu. For women, alcohol suppresses estrogen production,which further impairs the immune system. So girls, we are going to avoid alcoholic beverages to keep our immune systems strong.

6) Keep Physically Active:

Mild to moderate exercise for example brisk walking for 30-40 minutes 3-4 times a week supports the immune system by increasing circulation, oxygenating the body, purging toxins through sweat, and releasing tension and stress. So all our hikes and other activities are really good for us.!

7) Be Vigilant of Surfaces:

Be aware of what public surfaces you touch, when you've shaken hands with someone, or when you're using something like a pen that others have recently used--and don't touch your face until you've had a chance to wash your hands. Oh, good we have waterless handwash and wet wipes on hand.

8)Avoid Contact with Sick People

A more blunt way to put this is, don't get spit on!
Flu virus is spread when particles dispersed into the air through a cough or sneeze reach someone else nose. So if you are coughing or sneezing, cover your mouth (and then wash your hands), and if you have to be around someone who is sick, try to stay a few feet away
from them and avoid physical contact. I don't actually care at this point if someone thinks that I am being rude.

9) Know When to Get Help

Swine flu can look like regular flu, so don't feel like you necessarily are infected if you're exhibiting flu-like symptoms. Luckily we have Feroz here so he make a diagnosis and send you to hospital if need be.

10) Keep it in Perspective

Stress releases hormones into our bodies that can compromise our immune systems and actually make us more susceptible to viruses like swine flu. Don't panic guys.....keep your concern and vigilance over swine flu in perspective......we are on Holiday so let's enjoy!!.