5 Ways to Stay Healthy for Work During Cold and Flu Season

It’s that time of year when you might see your colleagues taking sick days at work and perhaps you’ve missed a day or two yourself. It’s cold and flu season and for every day you might miss because you’re sick, there are several other days you go in when you’re not feeling well, and when you’re ill you are unable to work at peak performance.

To excel at work, we need to pay attention to our health. Consider implementing these five ways to improve your health, boost your performance at work, and keep you healthy during cold and flu season.

Get a flu shot. Many workplaces offer the flu shot for free and provide an opportunity for employees to receive the shot at work. If your employer offers this make sure you get in line. Not only will you protect yourself from the flu, but you’ll also decrease the chance for others to get sick by being in contact with you.

Get adequate sleep. Getting adequate sleep provides many health benefits and studies have indicated that getting 7-8 hours of sleep reduces stress, increases creativity, improves memory, and sharpens attention, among other things. On the other hand, sleep deficiency has been linked to increased risk of heart disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and stroke.

Meditate. A brief, daily practice of meditation can result in significant health benefits such as reduced stress, better sleep, and perhaps even improved immune functioning. Meditation can also help you focus on positive and encouraging thoughts, which can lead to more joy and greater focus throughout the day.

Drink water and avoid alcohol. Staying properly hydrated is important to provide energy, strengthen muscles, improve skin, and keeps your gastrointestinal tract functioning healthily. As we’ve all heard, our bodies are mostly water and we need to drink enough daily to avoid fatigue, headaches, and other issues. Frequent alcohol consumption has many negative consequences and alcohol is a depressant; if you struggle with depression it can exacerbate it. To be at your best limit your alcohol intake.

Exercise or move 30 minutes. Our bodies are made to move, and we need to ensure some basic level of movement daily in order to stay healthy and strong, and to avoid illness. You don’t need to train like a professional athlete or body builder to see results. Get out and walk two miles on your lunch break, or bike in the morning before work … or, better yet, bike to work. Schedule this time every day just as you would any other important meeting. You’ll soon find that you have more energy and accomplish more throughout the day.

See your doctor. This is something that men often struggle with more than women. To stay healthy and to deal with an illness before it becomes more serious, be sure to see your physician for an annual exam. 

  

These basic strategies will help you feel stronger, and more energetic, and keep you healthy and on the job during cold and flu season.

Avoid The Awkward Sick Day

You're a newly post grad at your first job after college and the flu season is quickly approaching. Coughing, sneezing, and fevers...oh my! It can often be hard to tell if you should stay home from work or push through to get your projects done. Here are some tips on handling sick days the right way:

1. Check your work's policy on sick days. Many companies are very different on this subject. Some are more lenient and others are very strict. I have a friend that gets written up if she calls in sick, no matter what. Find out if you have paid sick days or if you'll have to give up your pay for a day to stay home and rest. If the rules are unclear, talk with your boss or co-workers to get the skinny on calling in.

2. Don't fake sick just to get the day off. This may seem like a no-brainer, but make sure you take days off you need in advance. If an emergency comes up, be honest about what is going on instead of using the fake cough. Most people can tell when people are actually sick versus faking.

3. If you are really sick (think fevers, stomach issues, and other illnesses your co-workers wouldn't want to catch), call the appropriate people at your work. Let your boss, supervisors, etc. know that you're sick, briefly explain your woes, and say you're sorry you will miss work and give an estimate on your return.

4. Lastly, try to avoid getting sick in the first place to avoid any sick day office blunders. Wash your hands a lot, get a flu shot, avoid people who are sick, and take plenty of Vitamin C.

Stay healthy this season and if you get sick, handle your newly acquired sick days well.