A cold or virus can knock you off your feet and keep you in bed for days at a time. Not only do you feel miserable when you’re sick, but you miss out on work, school and with your family.
While you can’t avoid sickness altogether, there are a few ways you can stay healthy year-round. Read on to learn five simple tips for combating illness and keeping you up and at ‘em.
1. Wash your hands properly
Hand hygiene is one of your best defenses against getting sick. That’s why it’s important to follow proper handwashing techniques.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offer five foolproof steps to make sure you’re washing away germs and bacteria that can make you sick:
- Wet hands with clean, running water.
- Apply soap and lather the backs of hands, between your fingers and under your nails.
- Scrub hands for at least 20 seconds.
- Rinse your hands under clean, running water.
- Dry hands with a clean towel or air-dry them.
Soap and water are always the best way to get rid of the germs on your hands. However, if you don’t have access to running water, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol is recommended.
Be sure you wash your hands after:
- Blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing
- Caring for someone who is sick
- Changing diapers
- Touching an animal, animal food or animal waste
- Treating a cut or wound
- Using the toilet or helping a child go to the bathroom
And always wash your hands before:
- Eating
- Preparing food
- Treating a cut or wound
