Avoiding Illness During Cold and Flu Season

Now that fall is officially here and the weather is cooling off rapidly (well, everywhere except Florida it seems) one thing is certain; cold and flu season is quickly approaching. Unfortunately, even those who get a flu shot are not guaranteed to miss out on getting the flu, and those who opt not to get the flu shot are more susceptible to this illness. Here are a few ways you can help to keep healthy during the cold and flu season.

Wash Your Hands

Wash your hands as frequently as possible. In fact, feel free to become a bit obsessive compulsive about washing them this season. Don’t be afraid to carry around a box of baby wipes and a container of hand sanitizer to wipe down with after you touch doors and railings and other things in public. In fact, you should wash your hands even after you touch the doors in your own home because you have no idea what germs anyone brought in after work and/or school.

Get Some Sleep

It might not sound like something that is overly effective, but the more sleep you get the healthier your immune system is. When you are already feeling run down and exhausted thanks to a tremendous lack of sleep, you’re more susceptible to catching something during cold and flu season.

Wash Oft-Touched Items

This means washing your door knobs at home and work, holding the public restroom door open with a towel in hand and even washing down your leather furniture and car seats to remove the germs that might have been spread thanks to a carrier with a cough or a sneeze. The more you wash the most touched items at home and work, the less germs you are likely to catch from touching them every single day.