As a Leukemia patient, a significant part of my energy each day is spent keeping myself healthy. Having finished my second round of chemotherapy, my immune system is again on its way down to zero. It seems at this point at least that infection, not Leukemia, is my biggest threat. As well as I am doing through this treatment, a single infection or common cold can drastically change things quickly. And that is true for each of us in this severe flu season.

I have always strived to live a healthy life, but never have been THIS focused on protecting myself from infection. (I’m not quite to the Michael Jackson phase.) We love having visitors but ask them to come only when completely healthy. We ask them to wear masks when they enter my environment and I always wear a mask when I leave my room.

Apart from that, the elements of my regime are beneficial to all of us in this flu season: Wash hands with soap and use hand sanitizer frequently throughout the day. Keep the skin moist. You know the drill.

But are we as careful to practice other essentials of maintaining a healthy immune system?

• Maintain consistent and quality sleep patterns 
• Avoid useless (and harmful) worry
• Cultivate a sense of humor and find reason to laugh
• Enjoy time with family and friends
• Encourage others
• Take short breaks throughout the day to refresh your mind and spirit
• Pray
• Find reason to give thanks throughout the day, regardless of how crummy the day seems

  “Be joyful always; pray continually;
  give thanks in all circumstances,
  for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
  1 Thessalonians 5:16

  Stay healthy…in body, mind, and spirit!