5 Ways to Stay Healthy During Flu Season

MT. PLEASANT, Mich.,––The weather hasn't been terrible this winter in terms of snow and bitter cold temperatures, but there's something keeping us all down this season. It's the flu. The cold and flu usually run their course sometime during the winter, but this time it's taken quite a toll on everyone. Whether you got the flu shot or not, you should consider making some lifestyle changes to employ through the rest of the season to keep you safe. Here are 5 ways to stay healthy during flu season!

1. Eat Right

Valentine's Day is now over, so you can consider the candy binging out of season. It's fine to indulge every once and a while, but it's more beneficial to eat foods that will benefit your immune system! That doesn't mean you have to have a salad for every meal, there are plenty ways to eat right. Try to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables alongside nutritious proteins like poultry, legumes, etc. Don't be afraid to work up some soup recipes if you're feeling down. Broth and veggies together can help comfort a sore throat or aching stomach and are healthy, too!

2. Drink More Water

If you had a dollar for every time someone recommended you drink more water, you'd probably be rich. Although simple, this health 'rule' is king for good reason. Water not only keeps you hydrated should you already be sick and need to replace fluids in your body, but it also helps you flush some of the bad stuff out if you're harboring any flu germs. Water overall helps your body function optimally, so having a few extra glasses per day can only help! The recommendation is to drink half your body weight in ounces of water.

3. Exercise 

That's right. Exercise is another factor that can help boost your immune system. It can be a simple walk outside or an extra sweaty cardio session at the gym. Whatever method you choose, make sure you're getting your heart rate up and are breathing heavier than normal. Cardiovascular exercise can help excavate bacteria out of you lungs and airways. Plus, the feel-good endorphins you get when working out can make you feel happy during the gray winter days. If you do go to the gym, just make sure to wipe down your machines before using to avoid picking something up.

4. Stay Home & Get More Sleep

There are two types of people in the world. One who thinks this tip is a death sentence, and one who sees this tip as a blessing. Even if you're the one who's overwhelmed at work and think staying home will stop your progress, don't come in! If you feel like you're getting sick, or are already sick, take caution. There's no sense in you exhausting your energy or spreading your illness onto others. Take time to veg out on your couch with some water, vitamins, and honest rest. If you really can't do that, make sure you're heading to bed earlier. Even an extra half hour of sleep can help your body feel better and fight off any flu germs!

5. Wash Your Hands & Watch What You're Touching

We learned to wash our hands before meals, after the bathroom, and after touching animals when we were little, but some of us don't follow the rules or simply forget. Now is the time to bring yourself back to your kindergarten roots! Make sure to wash your hands through the entire birthday song or alphabet song with soap and warm water to rid of germs. It's also good to be aware of what you're touching throughout the day. If you're touching "high-traffic" items, avoid touching your mouth, nose, and eyes as these areas are like gateways to your immune system.


We hope these 5 ways to stay healthy during flu season keep you out of the doctors office until we reach spring! There are so many ways to care for our bodies, but we don't want you to forget about your car because it needs TLC, too. With winter winding down slowly and spring coming up to bat you might be confused as to how to care for your car. Take a look through our routine maintenance pages for tips on how to take care of your car year round, and stay tuned to our seasonal maintenance section where you'll see seasonal specific car care tips. And don't forget to schedule online for a service appointment at one of our Mt. Pleasant dealerships!

At Hank Graff Mt. Pleasant we strive to provide our customers with a car buying experience that is accommodating, stress-free and fun! Visit us at our Chevrolet dealership located at 4580 E Pickard Rd in Mount Pleasant, Michigan 48858 or our Buick GMC Cadillac dealership located at 116 N. Mission St in Mount Pleasant, MI 48858

Websites: Chevrolet: HankGraffMtPleasant.com and Buick GMC Cadillac: GraffBGC.com

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