Now that November has wound down and we are at the beginning days of December, we can officially welcome everyone to the holiday season.
With this time of year comes the endless invitations to parties and family gatherings. There is also someone else who got that invitation: germs.
In the Spring we saw the start of the H1N1 Virus in Asia and watched over the continuing months as the virus found its way to the US and infect numerous people across the nation. With the virus it brought a new awareness to the workforce industry on how to keep their employers and visitors safe and healthy.
Here is a short list (provided by EHS Today) of tips on how you can stay healthy during this holiday season
- Keep your distance: With the holiday season comes the parties and get together exposing yourself in close proximity with other people. Remember to keep a safe distance away from others and picking up items such as a phone, remote control, or touching a door knob holds plenty of germs to share with you and others.
- Wash your hands frequently: It is the easiest and most practical concept! Using hand sanitizers are a good tool to use in between when you are not close to soap and water but remember hot water, soap, and a good scrub of the hands will wash those germs down the drain.
- Don’t drink in excess: With the holiday parties there tends to be more alcohol served. Remember that if you are going to a party and plan on drinking to have a designated driver to get home safely.
- Sleep: Many of us already do not get the recommended hours of sleep in a given evening. Just remember to make sure you are not cutting back because you are squeezing in last minute details.
- Maintain a Healthy Diet: During the season there will be many temptations of wonderful food and especially homemade deserts around. It’s okay to splurge once in a while but indulging in all the sweets and comfort foods can lead you to weight gain. Remember during this time to balance your splurges with time working out and exercising.
- Mental Health: This time of year can be especially difficult for some people. Stress can cause your immune system to get out of whack making you more susceptible to colds. A good recommendation is to remember to take time for yourself each day. Spending just 20 minutes on yourself can lead to a more productive person at work and at home.
