I'm nervous. I have 6 hours left of sick time and 3 1/2 months are left in the calendar year. I don't want to get sick this year and use up my final few hours. I hate getting sick. It always comes down to the last few months and only a few hours left of sick time is left. Being sick isn't very helpful to the bottom line either.
Every year I'm affected by the flu in some form, depending on the strain, I can be under the weather for days or slide by with only the sniffles and an occasional cough. I also look around for the cheapest place to get my flu shot; surprisingly it isn't always at the doctor's office either. Beyond the flu vaccine I make sure I am doing all the right things because I can slack off on the warm days of summer.
I eat better. More vegetables, fruits and less junk food to keep my health up to par.
I sleep more. I usually get about 4 hours of sleep during the week but have been finding little windows of time to get in a few more hours so my body is less worn down and more susceptible to the flu.
I wash my hands. I carry around hand lotion in the winter because I'm always washing my hands but it is well worth it.
I drink water. Feed a cold, starve a fever or whatever the saying is, I just listen to my body about when to eat and make sure I am drinking water to flush my system out.
I do preventive care. If I feel a cold or flu symptoms coming on I start to take otc medicines right away, I kick up my vitamin C a bit more and use Vick's vapor rub to keep the cold/flu to a distant memory.
Obviously there are innumerable ways to fight of the flu/cold that people may swear by but I believe most all will agree that we just need to treat our bodies well,keep our hands clean and we will manage through the flu season pretty well.
Being sick isn't very cost effective, it can cut into take home pay and it costs to go to the doctor and get medicines. But just like dealing with money, a bit of common sense and a couple better habits will pay off in the long run.
Do you do anything different to keep the flu bug from biting? Do you wear a face mask to work?
Zinc and Vitamin C together really help to boost your immune system and make you more alert.
Why do you only get 4 hours of sleep? That's absurd.
@Karen
I will look into that, thanks
@Derek
Yeah, I know. I work two jobs and I do have time to take a nap between the two but something always comes up so I may grab a 2 hour nap once or twice in the week.
I loooove weekends though!
The absolute best way to avoid the flu and colds too!
Eat lots of garlic...on everything.
IT keeps everyone at a distance and it really helps the immune system too!
IF you are worried about the smell (they now have garlic suppliments you can take that dont have the odour)
Otherwise all the others tips listed are great!
I bet when you are able to only work one job and get 7-8 hours of sleep per night you are going to notice you get significantly fewer colds. Here is a link to an article in the NYTimes about a recent study linking sleep and colds:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/22/health/22real.html?_r=1&em
I hope you are able to eventually downscale your work schedule to maximize your health! Until then sounds like naps are the best solution.
@anon 1
The vampire effect, I like that!
@anon 2
I aim to drop to one job in the next year and yes, more sleep and being around fewer people will definitely help. Right now naps are good when I here the little cries for help from body also work.
I do the same things as you. I also started taking a vitamin B stress complex with zinc and vitamin C in it. B is supposed to help your energy level, C and Zinc work together for the immune system. Maybe that would help you? After I started taking it on a regular basis I couldn't believe how much LESS I was sick. haha
Feel better! Nap whenever you can!