Even if you don’t work in a hospital or daycare, the chances of getting sick are still high in a busy workplace. With flu season not that far away, follow these essential tips to keep yourself sneeze-free and happy at work.
1. Wash your hands as often as possible. After the water cooler, after meeting with a client, and after your lunch break. Try to make it a routine part of your day.
2. Once a week disinfect the things you touch regularly including your keyboard, mouse, phone, pens, stapler, scissors, and even the outside of your water bottle.
3. Avoid touching doorknobs, handles on bathroom stalls and faucets, the water cooler, coffee maker, and other commonly used work items. Place a paper towel over your hand and make sure that these items are regularly disinfected as well.
4. This should be obvious, but can be difficult at times especially in a small office- staying away from those who are sick. With meetings, conferences, and close working areas this can be hard to maintain, but it is simply the most effective way to ensure you do not get sick.
5. Resist the urge to touch your face. We are constantly touching our face, specifically eyes, nose, and lips. It can be a subconscious thing yet once you realize how often you touch surfaces you can become more aware.
6. Strive to eat healthier. Keep healthy snacks at work and try to avoid going to the vending machine for that mid-afternoon snack. Healthier foods are shown to be full of vitamins that keep you alert, focused, and full. The more nutritious food you fill up with, the easier your body can defend itself against intruding viruses.
7. Exercise- even at work. Take a 5 minute break to walk around the building, or go for a small jog on your lunch break. Working out regularly is shown to strengthen the immune system, which can help protect against viruses and illness.
8. Drink lots and lots of water!
While these tips are not fool-proof, they can go a long way with keeping healthy in the workplace.