Hack, hack, hack! Few things make my skin crawl like someone coughing in the same room with me and not covering their mouth properly. The, “oops my germs aren’t actually germy,” cough where they turn their head slightly and don’t cover at all. The “cough vaguely in the direction of my hand,” cough and pretty much deflect their germs all throughout the air around them. Coughing “toward the elbow” without actually covering the cough. Or the chronic cougher that won’t get a lozenge, a drink of water, leave the room, or stay home from the office. I’ve seriously considered creating a new product that is a Lysol/mace combo to spray at people that cough improperly around me. Yes, I’m slightly germ-phobic, but I work very hard to be healthy and I work with a population of clients that tend to have more high risk immune systems, so my health is important to me, but also to the wellbeing of the people I serve.
One of the best things you can do to help your family and everyone around you to stay healthy is to keep your germs away from everyone else. Following are a few tips for the season when we generally have more interaction with other people and when colds and flu are running rampant.
Tips to stay healthy:
• Consider getting a flu shot. This is a personal decision, and although I am a huge advocate for natural health methods, I get a flu shot each year because of the vulnerable population I work with, but also because I am exposed to so many people’s living environments throughout the year.
• Eat healthy: consider adding extra Vitamin C, Zinc, antioxidants, probiotics. Eat your fruits and veggies. Drink plenty of water. Consider adding green tea to your daily routine. Eat at regular intervals throughout the day to keep your energy level.
• Stay physically active. Even if you go for a walk, keep moving.
• If someone around you is sick, take precaution to avoid germs. Wash your hands frequently with soap, hot water and for an adequate amount of time. Wash sheets and pillow cases in hot water. Clean any surface exposed to sickness with proper cleaning products. Don’t kiss, hug, shake hands with people who appear to be sick.
Tips to keep others around you healthy:
• Cover your cough PROPERLY. Carry a handkerchief or tissue and cover both your nose and mouth completely. Your cough should be muffled and not “escaping” above or below where you are covered. If you do not have something with you, cough into the bend of your elbow, also taking care to cover the cough completely. Then go wash your hand thoroughly.
• Stay home if you are sick! We all believe we are irreplaceable. We have too much work to do if we take an unplanned day off. You are not doing your employer or anyone a favor by being Patient X and bringing the flu or colds into the office. DO NOT send your kids to school, day care, or anywhere else if they are sick, including having a positive flu test even if they are not showing symptoms.
• Refrain from physical contact while sick. Explain to your family or people you would normally shake hands with that you need some time to recover from being ill.
• Turn faucets off, open doors, etc. with a paper towel or tissue while you are sick.
• Get plenty of rest. If you have to cancel plans during the holidays, the best gift you can give those around you is to keep your germs to yourself.
Have a blessed holiday and a Merry Christmas. Wishing you all health, happiness and prosperity.
Jones is the owner of Liz Jones Wellness LLC, offering yoga, personal training and corporate wellness programs in Hunt and Rockwall counties, soon to be based out ofthe new Jones Wellness Ranch in Greenville. She can be reached at Liz@LizJones.co or through her website at LizJones.co.