COVID-19’s arrival doesn’t mean the flu and common cold ceased to exist. That’s right, they’re still here, and so is Dr. James Stirton with his invaluable insight on these seasonal illnesses.
There are a variety of factors as to why fall marks the official beginning of flu season. Perhaps the biggest — and most obvious — is the weather.
“Many factors affect your exposure and immunity at this time of year, including increased low-pressure storms affecting our physiology,” Stirton said raining down the facts. “These keep us indoors and less active, which increases closed door contact with others while depressing the immune system with lack of exercise.”
As we adjust to the sniffle-inducing cold weather, daylight savings time is also a contributing culprit of the flu.
“There’s also socio-cultural factors like daylight savings time, which alters our circadian rhythm. That is when and how much we sleep,” Stirton said about the effects of turning back our internal clocks. “When we alter this rhythm, we lose restful sleep and depress our immunity.”
Another big flu-inducing change this time of year is our diets. From Halloween through New Year’s, we’re eating a lot more sugary, delicious, decadent, and — unfortunately — immunity-depressing foods.
While these factors appear daunting, they’re only challenges that — with proper knowledge and know-how — can be easily hurdled.
“There are things people can do proactively to avoid getting sick,” Stirton said laying out the aforementioned know-how. “Like getting regular, restful sleep and maintaining good eating habits without additional sugar. Indoor exercise is a great way to stimulate good immunity.”
From push-ups to sit-ups, stretching to air-squats, there’s plenty of exercises one can do from home to give their immunity a much-needed boost. According to Stirton, a heart-healthy regimen of 20 minutes exercise daily will work.
Not to mention there’s a litany of delicious, seasonal recipes that don’t overload on sugar. One only needs to take a little time to find them online.
These remedies — while useful combating the flu — are also excellent, general health practices to deploy against the current pandemic. A good diet combined with regular sleep and exercise transforms one’s immune system into a bastion of health that any germ or virus will reconsider attacking.
For any additional questions about flu season, one can reach Stirton through his email jimstirtondc@gmail.com or call Winters Chiropractic at 530-795-4500. It’s like the good doctor always says, “If you’re not certain, ask Dr. Stirton.”
