Are you avoiding your co-worker with that hacking cough, cold, or flu in the cubicle next to you? Do you draw your hand back from every doorknob? Have cold-and-flu phobia? Get a grip before the grippe gets you.
Every time you shake someone’s hand, wash yours
But don’t stop there. Wash them as much as possible. Running lots of water over your hands will dilute any germs and send them down the drain.Keep your hands off
Touching your nose and your eyes may hurt you. Those are the most common places for germs to get in.
Go to bed
As if getting enough sleep on a normal basis isn’t hard enough, you need more z’s when you’re feeling under the weather. When you’re tired, your body isn’t fighting as hard, so Doctors suggest getting 8 to 10 hours a night.
Build up with healthy food
You may think it’s hard to eat healthily on a regular basis, but eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables supports your immune system. And that’s a lot easier than fighting off the flu.
Work out
Get those sweats on and exercise. Working out regularly enhances immune function.
Stay away
Keep your distance from people displaying symptoms like sneezing and coughing. While that strategy may seem obvious, it applies to more than just strangers and colleagues. Stay away from sick friends and family when possible.
Sanitize yourself
Keep sanitizing gel or hand wipes on you at all times. But read the label before you buy: Some wipes won’t be as effective as you expect.
Another reason to quit
Smoking increases the risk of infections by making structural changes in the respiratory tract and decreasing immune response, according to a study of smokers and infection published in the Archives of Internal Medicine in 2004. In particular, smoking destroys cilia, the little hairlike fibers inside our noses; this can help increase infection risks.
Fingers away
Biting your nails may be hurting you, Brasco says. Germs get under your nails and nibbling is a fast way to ingest them.
Try to smile
New research has found that happiness may help you. Researchers found that positive thinking, playing, and other pleasurable behaviors will boost your immune system.
You want me to sneeze where?
It may sound strange, but when you have to cough and sneeze, do so into the crook of your elbow, not into your hands. Since your hands are a common source of germs, doing that will prevent them from spreading.
Already sick?
Here are four things you can do to get better, according to the physicians.
Take some alone time. This is the when you’ll want to shy away from company. Stay home and take care of yourself.
Watch your symptoms. If it goes from simple sniffles to raging sickness, contact your doctor. Your cold may have escalated to the flu.
Drink, drink, drink. Dehydration can easily occur (especially if you are running a fever or vomiting). If you’re unable to keep fluids down, contact your physician.
Now’s not the time to save up. Dispose of all used tissues. As easy as it is to grab whatever is on the nightstand (including crumpled Kleenex), don’t! You may be furthering the cold.