The flu season causes around 3-5 million cases worldwide, and, just in the UK, it is related to an estimated 30,000 deaths annually. Each year, the virus causing the influenza epidemic in the Northern Hemisphere is different and can be more or less aggressive. 

It is true that, over the past two years, the global number of flu cases sank to an all-time low, and the number of deaths dropped to almost zero. But this year, the restrictions introduced to keep at bay Covid-19 and its variants are being lifted, which, according to Nature, could prompt a sharp rise in seasonal flu cases. 

“While the SARS-CoV-2 and its developments are making the front page,” 

Pharmacist Stuart Gale from Oxford Online Pharmacy tells abcmoney.co.uk, “Influenza and related respiratory illnesses are the ones to watch out for this winter.” 

Luckily, some healthy habits can help you protect yourself and your loved ones, lower the chances of becoming ill because of the flu, and live a healthier lifestyle. Learn more below.

Follow a Balanced, Nutritious Diet

A healthy lifestyle can strengthen the immune system, and a strong immune system – alongside vaccines and self-distancing rules – can help you avoid getting seriously ill as a consequence of a flu infection. 

There are many reasons why a healthy, balanced, varied, and healthy diet can help you boost your immune system:

• A diet rich in unprocessed, natural ingredients can help with weight management. In turn, maintaining a healthy weight can reduce inflammation and lower the risk of diseases such as diabetes, obesity, and heart disease – all of which can compromise your immune system
• A varied diet can help you provide your immune system with everything it needs to fight off infections, including a range of iron, zinc, vitamin A, C, D, E, as well as antioxidants. Make sure to eat a range of unprocessed, seasonal fruits and vegetables. 
• A predominantly plant-based diet can influence the gut microbiome, thus boosting the immune system. 

Make Exercise Part of Your Daily Routine

Regular exercise offers many immune-boosting benefits, including:

• Lowering stress levels
• Causing the release of endorphins – or the happy hormone
• Promoting healthy blood flow
• Causing changes in the white blood cells, which are responsible for fighting infection
• Helping flushing bacteria out of mouth and lungs

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), you should strive to keep your body moving for at least 60 minutes a day. This might seem a lot, but you should focus on exercises that you enjoy – including walking, cycling, or cycling. 

Get at Least 8 Hours of Sleep Every Night

Sleep is important for all bodily functions, including enhancing the immune system’s effectiveness. In particular, during sleep, the heart rate and breathing slow down, giving the chance to our bodies to focus on fighting bacteria. 

Additionally, during the night, the body has the chance to replenish used energy and fight inflammation. As a general rule:

• Adults should sleep 7-8 hours per night
• Teens need around 9 hours of sleep
• Younger kids might need to sleep for 10-12 hours

Make the Right Lifestyle Choices

Some lifestyle choices – such as drinking excessively or smoking cigarettes – can significantly affect immune system functions, increase inflammation, and cause chronic diseases such as cancer. 

Additionally, alcohol has been seen to suppress a wide range of immune responses, which can leave an individual more exposed to infections and flu symptoms. Because of this, smoking should be avoided entirely and, if you drink, do so in limited quantities!

Identify and Keep at Bay Stressors

Stress is our immune systems’ worst enemy – especially during the flu season. Indeed, as the levels of the stress hormone corticosteroid rise, it causes the number of lymphocytes drop. Lymphocytes – or the cells that have the role of neutralising harmful bacteria and viruses, are subdivided into many groups, including T cells and B cells. 

In turn, it is easier for foreign invaders to break through your immune system’s defences and leave you exposed to infections. While almost three-quarters of all adults in the UK report feeling regularly stressed, you can lower your stress levels by exercising, meditating, cutting down stressors, and taking time for yourself. 

Integrate Vitamins and Minerals

Even with a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle, you might not be able to integrate all the vitamins, nutrients, and minerals needed to keep your immune system strong. The levels of these compounds tend to drop during the winter months when we all spend more time indoors and indulge in comfort foods. 

However, when the flu season peaks, we need our vitamin levels topped up especially during winter! So, you should consider integrating Vitamins C, E, B, and D, as well as Iron. 

Practice Mindfulness and Spend Time in Nature

Over the past years, researchers have been focusing on exploring the connection between mental health, emotional balance, and immune function. Today, it has been confirmed that looking after our mental health also means improving the immune system’s function, thus adding an extra layer of protection against the consequences of flu infections. 

Some ways to benefit your mental health and boost immune function include:

• Partnering with a mental health professional
• Spending at least 120 minutes outdoors or in nature a week
• Practising mindfulness meditation 

Keep in Mind COVID-19 Measures

The flu virus spreads similarly to the Covid-19 one. One of the reasons why flu cases and deaths were so low over the past two years is that the restrictions and self-distancing measures introduced to protect us against Covid-19 also curbed the spreading of influenza viruses. 

While this year some of these restrictions have been lifted, you can protect yourself and your loved ones by wearing a mask, washing your hands frequently, and keeping your distance. If you have started to experience symptoms, you should not hesitate to contact your healthcare provider. 

Consult Trusted Pharmacist

Even by following all of the tips above and committing to a healthy lifestyle, there is no guarantee that you won’t get sick. Influenza viruses can affect anyone, regardless of age or lifestyle. 

However, by looking after your immune system and boosting its functions through a healthy diet, you can prevent severe complications such as pneumonia or lung or heart disease. And, you will get sick less often. In any case, finding a GP or pharmacist you can trust can help you keep your health in tip-top conditions. 

As a business owner, you are in charge of making sure your employees have a good working environment. You also need to motivate your workers and ensure they continue to be a part of your company. One of the ways you can do this is by getting https://expatinsurance.com.sg/group-medical/ in Singapore. The cover offers invaluable peace of mind to your employees.

What Is Group Medical Insurance?

A Group Medical Insurance is a plan that covers employees or members of an organization. It offers health insurance for the members at the lowest rate. That is because the cover spreads the risk to all the members in the plan.

What Are The Benefits Of Getting Group Medical Insurance?

There are many benefits of investing in group medical insurance compared to other options. Discussed are the benefits you will gain when you choose the group medical insurance.

• Cost Savings

As a business owner, you do not want to get insurance coverage that will strain your business finances. But, if you are searching for a cost-effective plan for your business, consider getting the group medical insurance cover.

• Enjoy Tax Benefits

If you choose to get group medical cover for your employees, you will enjoy a health care tax credit. This tax deduction is for companies that give the employees’ insurance cover and then pay part of the premiums.

• Get a Positive Work Environment

If your employees are happy, you can be sure of having a positive work environment. Getting group health cover is a sign that you care about your employees and their well-being. Thus, your employees will appreciate the insurance, which will motivate them to work.

Should Businesses Hire Medical Insurance Consultants?

Going directly to a company might seem like the best course of action when buying health business insurance. But, this might not be a suitable course of action. It is best to seek the help of a professional when faced with the many options and features. Here are reasons why you should consult with a professional.

• Cut On Premium Costs

The insurance brokers have a role in guiding their clients to get the best insurance cover. Thus, they will strive to find the best cover at the lowest premiums possible. Moreover, since they have been in the business for a long time, they are familiar with the various insurance covers. So, they will present the different options and ensure that you get the one that suits your company.

• Help Save You Time

Shopping for insurance coverage might seem simple until you start doing it. Note that the whole process can be time-consuming and stressful. The worst part is that you will likely land the wrong insurance coverage if you do not take your time to search. That will end up costing your business down the line. Hiring brokers ensures you get the best group health coverage for your business.

• Help You When Filing Claims

The medical insurance expert will do more than find you good deals. The broker can advocate for your claim if you need compensation in the feature. So, you will not need to wait for months or years before the insurance company responds. If you hire the right expert, they will help ensure that you have settled your claim within a short time.

• Get an Unbiased Risk Assessment

Since the brokers are not employees of a health insurance company, they will take the time to assess your business and what it needs. They can guide you on the best company to use. These experts will also give you the benefits and the risks involved to be informed.

Conclusion

Choosing a group medical insurance in Singapore among the many options you have available can be overwhelming. Going through the various health insurance companies and the policies they have implemented can be time-consuming. A suitable way to manage this is by hiring a broker company to help you get the best cover for your business. However, you ought to do due diligence to get the best company. The best health insurance cover is the one that will help ensure you get value for your money.

The world’s healthcare industry has arguably experienced one of its most tumultuous periods in history over the last two years. In addition to large-scale shifts that had already begun to roil within healthcare by the beginning of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic pushed its capacity for widespread emergency and policy response to the limit.

Recent happenings and the looming uncertainties that will carry us into the new year have revealed both the healthcare industry’s dogged capacity and its significant deficiencies. The healthcare industry faces significant challenges in both the current climate and as it looks forward into the future of healthcare support and service delivery.

Current Gaps in Healthcare Service Provision

A few areas within healthcare service stand out as places of particular need and urgency.

In light of the current climate, pandemic response and public health policy is an area of primary concern for healthcare providers and governance as they work through the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as implement learnings that can help lessen the impact of widespread viral outbreaks in the future.

From the state of hospitals and healthcare provision to new operational norms in business, education, travel, and more, COVID’s impact has caused fundamental changes to many spheres of life. The healthcare industry is working to apply the lessons learned as a result of the pandemic to everything from protocols in healthcare provision settings to communication practice amongst healthcare professionals, increased protective measures for all stakeholders, public health awareness and policy, and more.

Staff shortages and burnout currently plague the healthcare industry, dramatically straining available staff and inhibiting the quality of healthcare provision. COVID imposed huge demands on healthcare workers of almost every variety starting in early 2020, and many workloads have remained unsustainably heightened for almost two straight years. Vaccine requirements that have resulted in mass layoffs or resignations in many healthcare systems compound staff shortages and make this an urgent priority for the healthcare industry.

Also, better care services for underserved populations is also a forefront objective for today’s healthcare industry. Fueled by greater societal awareness and public pressure over the past 3-5 years, the healthcare system is working to repair and reverse existing discrepancies and inequities that disproportionately hinder some members of society from receiving adequate healthcare.

Statistics released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in June 2021 show that across a range of minority groups including ​​African Americans, Latinos, and American Indians and Alaska Natives, rates of COVID contraction, hospitalization, and death significantly surpassed those of white populations. And this trend runs much deeper than COVID. For these minority groups, as well as others including persons who are unhoused, have disabilities, or are not proficient English speakers, healthcare support is far more difficult to obtain and health conditions or problems that should be preventable or treatable are more devastating. These realities are being identified and addressed in some areas of healthcare, but much more needs to be done to eliminate the disparity in healthcare provision amongst minority groups.

Looking Forward: Where the Healthcare Industry is Heading

Though these issues are significant and systemic, the healthcare industry is being propelled forward by strategic initiatives to address them.

Moving the healthcare industry (and the world) past the pandemic will take awareness, innovative solutions, and systemic changes. It will not be easy. However, care is already being taken to educate both healthcare industry members as well as those in other sectors on the best ways to operate in a post-COVID world. Creating proactive health policies and procedures to keep people safe, maintain good working conditions, and mitigate the risk of future widespread health concerns could help keep another pandemic similar to the breadth and duration of COVID-19 at bay.

Part of advancing the healthcare industry and enabling it to improve support and services in the coming decade will require effectively utilizing technology. Technology’s use within the healthcare industry has blossomed in recent years. COVID’s effects accelerated those developments, necessitating broader applications of telehealth and virtual healthcare provision. Everything from patient check-ups, consultations, and some forms of testing have been adapted to be offerable online and via remote channels rather than requiring a patient to visit a healthcare facility.

Other areas where technology is being rapidly mobilized and applied to healthcare provision include robotic technologies that can assist with surgeries; artificial intelligence (AI) softwares that provide diagnostic and screening analysis; robust patient data platforms that reduce the risk of incorrect treatment and mistakes; machines that can automatically medications and treatment automatically; and more. As technology continues to advance and its utilization increases throughout the healthcare industry, it will increase care quality and precision while lessening the workload for overburdened healthcare personnel.

Though current conditions are challenging and will require concerted efforts to navigate, the healthcare industry has the necessary tools in the forms of not only advances in technology but a diverse and seasoned workforce to weather the current climate and bring forth the next era of healthcare provision.

Old age comes with many challenges, and one of them is limited mobility, which might require you to be wheelchair bound.

Regardless of such constriction, you can still lead a normal, happy and fulfilled life, especially when you regularly exercise your body. And being a wheelchair bound senior cannot stop you from exercising regularly and enjoying the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.

There are hundreds of wheelchair exercises that you can try out. But knowing a few of those exercises and doing them daily is all you need to effectively achieve your fitness goals.

In this article, we have helped you to compile the 6 best and most essential wheelchair exercises for seniors and some of the benefits you can derive from doing those exercises regularly to have a fit and strong body.

6 Best Exercises for Wheelchair Bound Seniors

The various exercises that we shall be discussing below aren’t just the best for your daily exercise routine, they are equally essential to help you maintain a healthy and comfortable lifestyle. The follow exercises will work on your core, abs, waist, legs and your overall body to give you a complete fitness.

1. Arm Stretches

This simple exercise will effectively work on your arm and upper body region.

Procedure:

It can be done when you comfortably sit in an upright position and gradually extend your arms out in the front while interlacing your fingers. Gradually raise your arms as high as possible while keeping your hands clasps together. Then proceed to slowly lower your hands downward. You can do this exercise repeatedly for 5 to 10 minutes regularly, and slowly increase the duration as you become used to the exercise.

2. Knee Lift

If you can still move your lower body, especially your legs, this is a good exercise to engage in. It will greatly help to keep your knees and lower body energized and strong.

Procedure:

Start by holding on to your wheelchair. While sitting comfortably in the chair, begin to gradually lift your knee up as high as you are capable of reaching. Don’t go too high if you won’t feel comfortable. Once your knee is up, stay like that for a few seconds and gradually bring your foot back to the floor. Do this process again for at least 5 to 6 times before repeating the same exercise with the other knee.

For a start, you can spend 3 to 5 minutes for each knee and increase the duration as you master the exercise.

3. Swimming Strokes

You don’t have to be in the pool before displaying your swimming skills. You can always do that while on your chair and still get a good result on the core parts of the body that swimming helps to take care of.

Procedure:

Imitate the swimming strokes 5 to 7 times by using your arms. You can also alternate it by doing different types of swimming strokes like backstroke, butterfly, and freestyle. Do this for 5 to 10 minutes for a start, and gradually increase the duration to 15 minutes as you get used to it.

4. Taking a Deep Breath

Breathing in and out is another essential simple exercise that most people take for granted. However, you’ll be amazed to know the various health benefits it gives to your body. It is a great exercise that can lower your stress level and make you feel relaxed.

Procedure

Simply start this exercise by breathing through your nose and gradually exhale slowly by using your mouth. You can repeat this cycle for about 15 go 30 seconds, and do the exercise for 5 to 10 minutes or more. It all depends on you and how great your breathing technique is.

5. Abdominal Twist

Here is another great exercise that works effectively on your waist, spine and upper body in general.

Procedure:

Sit on our wheelchair in the upright position while maintaining a straight spine. Slowly extend our spine as you twist your upper body to the left while holding the position for about 10 seconds before switching sides. This exercise can be done for 5 to 10 times on each side. It all depends on how long you can go.

6. Shoulder Openers

This type of exercise requires a dowel or broomstick to perform. It’s a great exercise that works well on your shoulders and arms.

Procedure:

While sitting in a comfortable or upright position, hold the broomstick in a strong grip with your hands as you maintain a position that is wider than your shoulders. Begin to gradually raise the broomstick above your head as you maintain a straight arm. Then stretch the broomstick behind your head for about 5 to 10 seconds until you can feel a stretch. Repeat this process 5 to 10 times or more for optimum result. However, you can do this exercise for a longer duration once you get used to it.

Benefits to Derive from Exercising in Wheelchair

• It makes you feel relax, good and boosts your overall health and wellness
• Exercising in wheelchair helps to increase your flexibility, mobility and strength
• It makes your blood circulate properly, gives you a stable posture and stabilizes your spine
• It helps to reduce your stress level and equally maintains your fitness level to a large extent
• It helps you to fight obesity and keeps your weight in check
• Exercising in wheelchair tones your muscles and relieves you from joint pains if you are suffering from one.

Conclusion

Being wheelchair bound should not restrict you from exercising regularly, especially if you are a fitness enthusiast. As a matter of fact, exercising your body has various benefits it does to your health as discussed above.

It is pertinent to note that being a wheelchair user would require you to do some consultation with your doctor on the best exercise for you, especially if you are on medication.

Once you’ve gotten your doctor’s approval for all or some of the exercises that we’ve discussed in this article, you are good to go on with your exercise routine as you continue to lead a healthy lifestyle.