Beat the Bug at Work and Avoid Falling Sick

You know it’s flu season when you see your office mates drop like flies into multiple-day sick leaves.

One by one, and you’re the next domino. If you’re careful enough with these preventive measures, you might just prevail with the title of ‘Best Attendance’. If that’s what you want, at least.

While you’re at it, don’t chew your nails or touch your face altogether. Germs lurk in droplets when people talk, cough, and sneeze. These land on your skin, computer, table, and just about any surface and can last for up to 8 hours.

You get sick by touching these contaminated surfaces then transferring them to your system through your eyes, nose, and mouth.

Be wary of oft-touched surfaces like door handles, the water dispenser, and elevator buttons – those contain the most germs. Once you’ve come into contact with any of these, wash your hands with soap and water, and do it for at least 20 seconds. This might seem a little extra to you, but if you’re diligent with these, you’ll find yourself falling sick less often.

Practise disinfecting your workspace or wherever you spend time at in the office. Purchase a multi-purpose spray that promises to kill germs or bacteria. Wipe down your computer display, phone, keyboard, table, mouse, and wherever you hang out before you start work.

Science says that you can actually pass your sickness to people around you even before you know you’re sick (when symptoms have yet to show) and you remain contagious for up to 7 days after falling sick.

So, if you’re sick, stay home. Don’t pass out germs in the office like they were mid-day cheese tarts. If a colleague is sick, encourage him/her to stay home, or stay away for a week. That’s what emails are for.

Since you can’t control your environment, practise preventive measures with your own health. Boost your immune system by taking Vitamin C supplements and eating foods high in vitamins and antioxidants: orange, broccoli, and garlic to name a few.

“Drink more water” also seems to be the answer to most of life’s problems. Staying hydrated keeps your immune system in check. If not 8 glasses of water, then substitute a couple of those with antioxidant-loaded green tea.

Stress attacks your immune system by raising the cortisol and epinephrine levels in your body. Keep your stress levels in check by realising that daydream of running off to a beach. Additionally, exercise regularly – yoga and meditation specifically targets stress – and get enough sleep.