Prevent the flu by staying at home and following current quarantine protocols.

 4 health tips during this rainy season

The coronavirus may be the main concern of many people right now, but it’s still important to be wary of the other diseases you can get during this time. With the rainy season, the damp and humid weather can lead to an increase of several viruses, most especially the flu.

 

A contagious illness and a serious public health concern, the flu can be severe and deadly. In some cases, complications may lead to viral or bacterial pneumonia, dehydration, and ear and sinus infections, especially in children. It may also cause central nervous system and heart problems and inflammation of the heart and of the sac around it. Moreover, a more severe flu infection may worsen long-term medical conditions, like congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes.

 

The World Health Organization stated that the flu is linked to three to five million cases of severe illness and approximately 290,000 to 650,000 deaths worldwide each year. With these risks, it is a must for us to protect ourselves against this infection, especially during this season.

 

AXA Philippines, one of the country’s leading insurance providers, offers some tips to stave off the flu and its complications and stay healthy.

 

Avoid large crowds. The flu is contagious and is usually transmitted by droplets when someone with the virus coughs, sneezes, or talks. Since the flu virus spreads quickly in crowded and confined spaces, it’s best to stay at home and follow current quarantine protocols. However, when you really have to go outside to work or get your essentials, make sure to wear a mask and observe proper social distancing.

 

Clean your home. It’s best to clean and disinfect your home regularly since the flu virus can live on hard surfaces. Make sure to disinfect high-contact objects in your home, such as doorknobs, light switches, tables, and countertops, among others. Also, stock up on hand soaps and sanitizers so others in your home can clean their hands whenever they come in contact with these surfaces.

 

Boost your immune system. Having a strong immune system is your first line of defense against the flu as it can help your body fight off infections, decrease the severity of your illness and help you recover faster. Strengthen your immune system by having a healthy, nutrient-rich diet with fruits and vegetables, staying physically active, avoiding smoking and drinking, reducing your stress levels, and getting enough sleep.

 

Get a flu shot. Get in touch with your doctor for getting an annual flu vaccination. This is important to get every year because flu viruses evolve quickly and they adjust the vaccine accordingly each time. Having a flu shot not only protects you but helps protect others who are vulnerable to the flu.

 

Since the flu can be hard on your body, and serious complications may arise, it’s best to always be prepared. For medical concerns and expenses due to unexpected health setbacks, getting health insurance coverage can also be a big help. For instance, there’s AXA MyLifeChoice, a protection and investment plan that can be personalized into a health plan that prepares you for health setbacks with critical illness coverage for 57 critical illnesses, including heart attack, stroke, and cancer. MyLifeChoice gives you the freedom to personalize your plan according to your unique needs, budget, and more.

 

For more information, visit www.axa.com.ph/mylifechoice/health.

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5 kitchen tips for homeschooling moms

Save yourself from unnecessary stress by planning meals ahead of time

“Going back to school” is different this year as many schools shift to distance learning due to the pandemic. In addition to other responsibilities, most parents now need to take on their kids’ schooling and ensure that they really understand their online lessons.

If you’re already working from home, you may be thinking that you just don’t have enough time for your job, household chores, and helping your kids with school. Before you get overwhelmed, Solane, the leading supplier of LPG in the country, is here to offer some kitchen tips to make your new arrangement at home easier.

Set a schedule.

Preparing a meal, on top of everything else that needs to get done, can be time consuming. Make sure you have a daily schedule that includes the time you will allot for cooking, uninterrupted work, your kids' school hours, as well as your break time and meal times. Once you have your schedule, do your best to stick to it so you can manage your time better.

Plan meals in advance.

Save yourself from unnecessary stress by planning the meals you will cook for the family ahead of time. By doing this, you get to save some time by getting all the ingredients you need at the grocery in one trip during quarantine. Just make sure to plan a variety of dishes that are easy to prepare, flavorful, and nutritious.

Get the kids involved. 

If your kids aren’t too busy, you can ask them to help with some simple tasks in the kitchen like rinsing the vegetables or mixing ingredients. This can also be an opportunity to teach them about kitchen safety when it comes to things like peeling and chopping vegetables to avoid accidents. A few minutes before your meal, ask your kids to help by setting up the table. After eating, they can also help clear the table and put the dirty dishes in the sink. Not only will this help you, but this will also teach your kids responsibility and discipline.

Do the chores immediately.

Try to get the chores done right away. Small stressors, like unfinished kitchen chores, only add up and affect your overall well-being. If tasks are left undone, you may feel more stressed, especially while working or tutoring your kids.  Start small. After eating, you can wash your kitchen tools and tableware, wipe the counters, and throw out the trash immediately. If you don’t feel up to it, don’t think of it as, “I need to clean the kitchen.” Instead, look at it this way: Do you want a clean kitchen? Then, get cleaning.

Invest in the right kitchen equipment. 

Invest in kitchen tools that can help you save time and cook faster, such as convection ovens, food processors, and instant pots. Also consider kitchen appliances that don’t need too much attention while cooking, like slow cookers. Just put your ingredients in them and they will take care of the cooking process. This will give you more time to focus on your work and kids’ lessons. In addition, opt for an LPG brand that is made for fast and safe cooking, like Solane. With the help of Solane, you can easily prepare your meals without the hassle or any worries.

For more information, visit www.solane.com.ph or follow @solane.ph on Facebook.