Stop Germs in Their Tracks!

‘Tis the season for coughing, sniffling and sneezing. It seems like when one person gets sick, everyone gets sick. Especially if you work in an office or are attending classes where you are constantly right next to others. This year you can help stop the spread of cold and flu germs by following these 6 steps!

1. Stay home. If you’re feeling sick, taking a day to rest can help you feel better sooner and helps to prevent others from catching the bug.
2. Distance. If you must be at work, in class, etc. when you’re feeling ill, avoid close contact with others. Try to avoid sharing phones, pens, drinks and snacks.
3. Wash your hands. This one seems like a given but the day can get busy and often times people pass washing hands as a quick run through the water. But guess what… That doesn’t cut it! Instead, use soap and water to scrub your hands for 20 seconds which is enough time to kill any germs on your hands.
4. Wipe it down. Use disinfecting wipes to sanitize work areas before and after use – especially shared work areas and break rooms.
5. Sanitize. Washing your hands is always the best options but keep a bottle of hand sanitizer at your desk to stop germs between washes. Use before and after touching shared work areas to stop your germs from spreading and to kill germs you may have picked up from others. Don’t have a desk? Keep a travel size bottle in your purse or car for when you are on the go.
   1. Bonus: Smart travel. Carry travel sized disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizer with you when traveling over the holidays (especially when traveling via airplane). Wipe down seats, seat belt buckles, arm rests, windows and tray tables. You have no idea who was sitting there before you. When the flight attendant comes around with that snack cart, you will be thankful for the hand sanitizer!
6. Not the hands. Avoid sneezing or coughing into your hands. Opt for a tissue or your inner arm instead. Using your hands can spread germs to everything you touch throughout the day.

In addition to the tips listed above, be sure to stay hydrated throughout the winter. Did you know that drinking water can help flush harmful toxins from your body? As well as aid in the decrease of congestion! Here is to a healthy cold and flu season.