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With everything that’s going on, staying healthy is a top priority for most. What if small lifestyle changes could help you avoid getting sick?
Simply, practicing preventative measures can drastically reduce your chances of getting sick. In addition, taking care of your body has been proven to help fight off infections and promote better wellness.
Continue reading to find 14 easy tips to avoid getting sick.
1. Get Enough Sleep 😴
Have you ever pulled an all-nighter? Chances are you know how it feels to need more hours of sleep. We all push our bodies to the limit and can easily neglect to get enough sleep.
Most adults need at least 7 hours of sleep per day. While you sleep, your body recharges and recovers from the stress your body endures throughout the day.
Making sure you get enough sleep each night is vital. Your immunity and brain function greatly depend on sleep.
2. Wash Your Hands 🧼
I know this may seem like a no-brainer, but many people neglect this principle. Your hands touch countless surfaces throughout the day.
Doorknobs, pens, keyboards, and countertops can harbor bacteria and viruses. It’s so easy to spread germs via your hands.
Lathering your hands for 20 seconds with soap and water, and washing them often can prevent you from spreading germs and getting sick.
When should you wash your hands?
- Before eating
- After using the restroom & changing diapers
- When you enter your home
- After blowing your nose
- After coughing or sneezing in your hands (Practicing cough etiquette is better for everyone 😉)
- Before touching your face
- After touching frequently touch surfaces (ie. gas pump, doorknobs, elevator buttons)
- Of course, when your hands look or feel dirty
- After petting or feeding an animal including pets
3. Exercise 🏃♀️
Engaging in physical activity relieves stress and releases chemicals that help improve our mood. Exercise helps with weight management and prevents the development of secondary diseases.
Most importantly, exercise promotes blood circulation and the release of anti-inflammatory properties in your bloodstream.
4. Sanitize Your Shopping Cart 🛒
Have you ever thought about who or what has touched your shopping cart before you? Wiping your shopping cart handle can help eliminate germs, which means you are less likely to get sick.
On your next shopping trip, take a few seconds to wipe your cart handle. Most stores provide sanitizing wipes at the entrance. Some people even carry a personal stash of wipes to ensure they will be able to wipe the shopping cart handle.
5. Manage Stress 😖
Stress is a part of life. From work responsibilities to home responsibilities, finding a balance is important. When stressed for prolonged periods, your immune system weakens due to your body producing excessive amounts of the stress hormone cortisol.
Having too much cortisol circulating in your bloodstream usually results in you getting sick as well as developing high blood pressure and gaining weight.
6. Keep A Bottle of Sanitizer Handy 🤲
When you don’t have access to soap and water, using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer is the next best thing.
Keeping a bottle of sanitizer handy will ensure that you can eliminate some of the germs on your hands. Thus promoting the likelihood of not getting sick.
7. Avoid Touching Your Face 🙅♀️
Experts project that people touch their faces over 20 times per hour. Germ-covered fingers can directly introduce bacteria and viruses into your ears, eyes, nose, and mouth.
8. Eat A Balanced Diet 🍎
Food provides your cells with the necessary nutrients to function properly. Eating an inadequate diet can impair how well your body responds to foreign invaders. Give your body the fuel it needs to function at its best.
9. Disinfect Your Cell Phone Daily 📱
Have you thought about the number of germs that are on your cell phone? Most people are attached to their cellular devices, which is totally understandable. However, your cell phone can be a germ reservoir.
Before disinfecting your cell phone, review your cell phone manufacturer policies to ensure no damages occur. Check out this article on disinfecting your phone.
10. Avoid Sick People 😷
I know this is another no-brainer right? Avoid people you know who are sick or showing symptoms of being ill. For instance, you probably want to stay away from someone who has a fever or someone who is coughing or sneezing.
At times, people within your household will be sick. Proper handwashing hygiene and disinfecting frequently touched items will help you avoid getting sick.
11. Maintain a Healthy Weight ✅
Obesity impairs internal bodily functions and causes inflammation, which lessens the effectiveness of your immune system. On the other hand, underweight people are more likely to have lowered immunity.
Maintaining a healthy weight will ensure you are physically capable of fighting off germs.
12. Don’t Smoke 🚭
It’s no secret that smoking cigarettes increase one’s risk of respiratory illnesses and cancer.
Smoking impairs the cilia, tiny hair-like projections that remove debris out of the respiratory tract. Impaired cilia put individuals at risk for respiratory illnesses.
Smoking is toxic to your health, decreases your oxygen level, causes inflammation, and decreases blood circulation. Smokers are more likely to develop pneumonia, the common cold, flu, and bronchitis.
13. Limit Alcohol ❌
Excessively consuming alcohol impairs immune cells and causes inflammation. Alcohol harms the gastrointestinal (GI) system by reducing the good bacteria located in your stomach.
This impacts your body’s ability to absorb nutrients and essential vitamins. Ultimately, putting you at risk for developing stomach ulcers and infection.
14. Clean Frequently Touched Surfaces 🦠
Frequently touched surfaces can be a breeding ground for viruses and bacteria to thrive on. Cleaning these high-traffic areas in your home will decrease germs and help you avoid getting sick.
Examples of frequently touched SURFACES
- Doorknobs
- Cabinets handle
- Kitchen appliances handles
- Electronic devices
- Countertops
- Light switches
- Faucet handles
Conclusion
Incorporating healthier lifestyle practices can reduce your chances of getting sick.
Be sure to take care of yourself during these uncertain times. You are capable of controlling some elements.
Treat your body well, and your body will treat you well.
Drop a 👍 in the comment section if these tips were helpful!
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