As we prepare to head into Fall, many parents are preparing themselves for the horde of colds and sickness that will come into their home from their school-aged kids. School (or daycare) is associated with sickness, which would leave many people who don’t have kids in school feeling pretty safe about their health this season. However, the workplace can be just as risky as school when it comes to germs and sickness, and if you aren’t prepared, you could end up taking way more of your vacation time to sit in bed with soup and tissues than taking fun trips or relaxing in the coming months.
So, how can you protect yourself at work this year?
Back to the Basics. As a child, you were likely drilled on washing your hands frequently with soap AND warm water, covering your nose/mouth when you sneeze/cough, etc. While it might seem repetitive at the time, these tips are vital to staying healthy, no matter your age. Most sickness comes from picking up germs by touching surfaces, and then transferring them to your nose/mouth/eyes where they can get into your body and give you a nice little (or big) cold or virus. By washing your hands regularly you are protecting yourself from the germs of others, and by covering when you sneeze or cough, you’re keeping others from getting your germs.
Stay Home. We understand that you don’t have unlimited days off at work, so if you absolutely have to go in when you’re sick, use the above tips to keep the spread of sickness limited. However, if you have an option to stay home when you’re sick, do it! Staying home means you keep the cold/flu inside your own house, and protects other employees within your workplace from catching whatever it is you have. Your boss will appreciate you more by staying home and keeping the rest of the staff well, than you coming in and spreading it to the entire office.
Practice Healthy Habits. It’s easier to prevent sickness than it is to heal after the fact. By practicing healthy habits you can decrease your likelihood of catching things this season, and means you’ll have a healthier immune system and you’ll feel better too! Make diet choices that are beneficial to your health, by packing in lots of fruits and vegetables, drinking plenty of water, and limited your intake of sugars and processed foods. Do your best to get in physical activity each day, even if it’s just a brisk walk around the parking lot on your lunch break, and try to get your 8 hours of sleep each night whenever possible. Proper rest helps your body fight things off, and it also make you feel (and perform) better at work each day.
We hope you enjoy a healthy Fall season this year! If you’re still looking for the perfect position and are currently unemployed, PHR Staffing Solutions is ready to help. We work with you to find job openings that match your current skills and qualifications, so you’ll be the perfect fit from the moment you walk in the door!