Protect Yourself From Colds And Flu In The Office

If you are wondering how to protect yourself from colds and flu in the office— we’ve got you covered!
 
Even if you’ve encountered some people coughing and sneezing at work... today, it’s not too late to stay healthy.
 
First things first:
 
1. Wash your hands OFTEN.
 
It’s common knowledge to wash your hands before eating or after working in the yard but increasing this habit will slash your risk of catching a cold.
 
Let’s face it, hands are nifty germ carriers so, wash them frequently or use hand sanitizer as a last resort.
 
Especially in the gym, make sure you keep your hands clean and wipe down equipment before and after use.
 
 
2. Get that workout in regularly.
 
Only about 22.9% of people actually get enough exercise, according to the CDC (Center for Disease Control), even though it’s a great way to avoid getting sick and to build your immune system.
 
According to studies, exercisers are about half as likely to get sick as people who don’t exercise!
 
It’s a mystery but not a surprise that exercisers get sick less often than sedentary people, therefore they also call out sick less. 
 
Doing at least 10 minutes of aerobic exercise a day is actually enough to boost your chances of staying cold-free. So, if you have 10 minutes, then you do have time to workout.
 
3. Go to bed.
 
Sleep is probably the easiest cure all in the book! It’s effective especially when it comes to colds— If you have read our sleep article, you know that sleep is a powerful aid in your workout AND at work but here’s one more plus.
 
Getting less than 6 hours of sleep a night will increase your chances of getting sick, so go to bed— be sure to keep a regular sleep schedule that suits your requirements. Simple as that.
 
4. Vary your diet, including different vegetables.
 
It’s important to eat seasonal produce when possible. Interestingly enough, Mother Nature has built in medicine in foods when we need the protection most. 
 
If it’s impossible to eat seasonal vegetables and fruits in your area, simply mix up your vegetable intake— mushrooms, onion, leafy greens and cauliflower have powerful antioxidants and immune system building nutrients. My personal favorite is ginger and garlic for ousting that cold before it ever had a chance.
 
5. Stay away from threats.
 
Gyms, air planes, concerts and hospitals are swarming with people and their germs. Stay away if you can.
 
Sometimes it’s impossible to get away from large crowds or even the sick co-worker in the office but avoid tight spaces with a lot of people.
 
Many offices have work from home policies in place. This is a great opportunity to reduce your risk of a cold or passing one along.
 
This is another last resort to keep in mind even though it’s not always a viable option.
 
What is your stay cold-free secret?
 
Share secret with us and we can stop the spread of colds together.