Winter is upon us once more and ’tis the season to get sick. Runny noses, coughing, fevers, and sneezing are all around us. It’s horrible when you walk into the office completely healthy and happy and end up catching someone else’s nasty flu. With more colds and flu around, and more people spending time together indoors, it’s more likely that you’ll get sick, too. It’s not inevitable, though. Thankfully there are several things you can do to help.
Office Tips
If you’re in a crammed office space, try as hard as you can to avoid contact with people who are sick as much as possible. Wash your hands often in soap and water, especially before eating and after contact with a sick person. Avoid sharing personal items, such as cups, cutlery, towels and hugs!
Layer Up
Your mom (or dad), as usual, was right. You need to bundle up and stack on the layers when it’s cold out. I’ve often made the silly mistake of dressing too lightly in the winter because I feel like I’m being strangled because of all the layers. But once I’m outside, I instantly regret it. I’ve certainly had the experience of being under-dressed in cold weather, and getting extremely sick shortly after. Be sure not to make my same mistake and try to also carry a scarf or shawl, in case the wind decides to go wild.
Reduce Stress
When you’re tense and strained, your body pumps out stress hormones which weaken your immune system. Slow down and take a breather if you feel like your stress levels are getting out of control. If your life is really busy, be sure to regularly allow for down time to rest.
Hit the Gym
Exercise, even if it’s just going for a walk, pumps your circulation and boosts your immune function. It also makes you feel really good, which is a plus since the weather is regularly gloomy.
Get Enough Sleep and Eat Well
Get a good night’s sleep and give your body the rest it deserves. Whether you stay up all night or just consistently don’t get enough sleep because you’re too busy watching Netflix, sleep deprivation makes it harder for your immune system to fight off infection. Don’t skip breakfast, and make sure to get three solid meals in every day.
