While the holidays are full of love and cheer, they’re also full of germs. Many of these germs come from your workplace. In honor of National Influenza Vaccination Week, it’s time to plan and prepare ahead of time before you land the flu or cold that takes you out for two weeks.
Let’s survive the holiday’s this year and avoid the flu, among other bugs, by staying healthy at work. Here’s how to do just that:
The basics
Wash your hands and keep hand sanitizer at your desk. While this tip is pretty basic, you need to actually practice it in your day-to-day habits to actively prevent the flu. Many of our jobs involve talking to people all day, handling food or money, and being in confined spaces with coworkers.
Avoid touching your eyes and mouth. This is another tip we know all too well but forget to integrate into your daily habits. This one can be very difficult if you’re distracted at work. But try to actively avoid touching your eyes and mouth regardless of being at work, because this is exactly how the flu is transferred between coworkers.
Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing. Don’t gross out your coworkers by letting your cough or sneeze fly through the air. Not only will covering up your cough prevent germs from spreading, it’s also simple courtesy.
Intermediate
Don’t go to work if you’re really sick! Sounds like common sense, doesn’t it? But we often ignore our body and roll into work looking like death anyway. But don’t forget that you have to think about yourself and others. Stay home if you have a fever or are in the throws of the common cold. Your coworkers will thank you for it. If you just HAVE TO go to work, try taking a half day or doing work from home instead.
Take supplements. I will always swear by these three supplements when I’m fighting off a cold or the flu: Vitamin C, echinacea, and zinc. These vitamins and herbs are commonly placed in immunal support blends available at most grocery stores and pharmacies. But another great product is Airborne. I personally keep the drink mix handy for when I first begin feeling sick.
Advanced
Listen to your body. If you’re feeling rundown or tired, don’t push yourself too far. Know your limits and stop before you reach them. You often prolong your sickness by not listening to your body. Use those sick days and communicate with your boss if you seriously need time off.
Manage your stress. Stress does a lot of crazy things to your body, and making it more susceptible to sickness is one of them. If you’re experiencing high levels of stress, your immune system may also be taking a dip. So take some time for TLC, drink lots of water, and relax.
What are your tips on battling sickness in the workplace?
