Daily Habits to Prevent Illness
Whether you’re a caregiver to little ones or live alone, getting sick is always inconvenient and exhausting. Here are a few simple tips to help keep you and those around you as healthy as possible.
- Wash your hands. This is one of the simplest and most effective ways to stay healthy, but nearly 97% of people don’t wash their hands correctly. It’s important to scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the restroom, changing a diaper, before/after handling food and after touching animals and garbage.
- Remember, 20 seconds is approximately the same time it takes to sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice! Scrub under fingernails and in between fingers as well, since this is where many germs and bacteria hide!
- Disinfect frequently used surfaces such as counters, desks, keyboards and phones. Because we use and eat around these areas, they can easily harbor germs and bacteria that cause various illnesses. Make disinfecting a daily habit by doing it at the beginning or end of your day for a simple “reset.”
- Wiping down these areas is especially important after a sickness.
- Hydrate. Regular hydration helps to flush out germs from our bodies that often make us sick.
- As a rule of thumb, take your current weight in pounds and divide that in half to get an approximate number of ounces of water for you to drink each day.
- Get enough sleep. Sleeping is when your body recovers and rejuvenates. Try to get between six and eight hours each night to assist your body with this natural process.
- You can refer to our Kinetiq Health blog here for information on sleep hygiene.
- Exercise regularly. Regular exercise can help your immune system stay sharp. Studies show that those who exercise regularly often have less severe symptoms when they get sick.
- For specific tips on how to fit exercise into your daily routine, refer to our Kinetiq Health blog here.
As always, consistency is key with these practices to keep you and your loved ones healthy. Here’s to a happy and healthy spring!
