Most people would agree that they dislike getting sick with a cold or flu. Getting sick or having someone sick that you are caring for can be a setback in your plans, your routine, and your overall lifestyle for a period of time. Being healthy and at your best physical health is something that people work hard at. It is unfortunately impossible to stop the spread of colds and flus entirely, but there are steps you can take to reduce the risk. Here are 5 ways to prevent sickness:
- Wash your hands. Practice this often throughout your day. Especially before eating food and when coming home.
- Don’t touch your eyes, mouth or face with unclean hands. It may be tempting to rub your eyes or itch your nose but think about the cleanliness of your hands before you do. Our hands touch a lot of germs throughout the day, and they can get into our system when they contact our eyes, mouth and face.
- Stay away from people who are sick. It may seem obvious but keep your distance from those who are sick. Don’t be afraid to turn down invitations to events or gatherings where you know people are still sick.
- Cover your cough/sneeze. Help prevent the spread of sickness by covering your cough and sneeze. A tissue is a great tool, but if you can’t grab one quick enough, cough into your elbow/arm.
- Upkeep with your healthy habits. Exercise, eat healthy and get adequate sleep regularly to upkeep your immune system.
If you or someone in your care is sick, make sure to stop the spread of the illness. Stay home and rest until you are feeling better. Also, avoid close contact with others if you know they are sick. The same practices can be used in all different environments to prevent the spread of sickness. Whether it’s at school, work, the grocery store, home, or a community event, prevention works.
Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/actions-prevent-flu.htm
https://www.cdc.gov/features/rhinoviruses/index.html