Because…  common sense isn’t so common.

•Wash your hands frequently, says Captain Obvious. This includes but is not limited to before eating, after using the bathroom, after sneezing, coughing and/or picking blowing your nose. Practice this fun soap, water and friction exercise long enough to sing the Happy Birthday song all the way through. That’s right, sing it with me… HAAAPPPPY BIRTHHHH…. Use extra time for long fingernails and rings. DAAAAAAYY TO YOUUUUUUU!!!!

•Use hand sanitizer diligently – especially after contact with frequently fondled handled objects like door handles, railings, elevator buttons, gasoline nozzles, ATM keypads, e-pens used to sign for credit card purchases. Keep a travel size bottle of hand sanitizer in your purse, pocket, car, your child’s lunch box and/or backpack.

•Keep your hands away from your face – especially your eyes, nose and mouth. Sick germs most often sneak into the body through these 3 easy-to-access portals. Most people infect themselves. This is a biggie. Always be mindful of your hands.

•Stay out of crowded places – Think about it; hundreds of people walk through commonly traveled places like Starbucks or convenience stores daily – coughing, sneezing and touching. Most public places are flu farms. It’s simple statistics…. The more people you’re exposed to, the more likely you are to contract the flu. Stay home.

•Stay home and keep your children home when they’re sick. Your personal quest for perfect attendance effects everyone. Working 8 hours with bronchitis does not qualify you for super dedicated employee status, it makes you inconsiderate. Keep your germs to yourself.

•Stay hydrated – Drink at least 64 oz/day of non-caffeinated, nonalcoholic beverages. The dry dehydrated state that throws your bodies essential electrolytes out of whack, also makes you a more susceptible host to the latest community shared illness. Get your drink on.

•Get enough rest – Step away from the computer, log out of Trivia Crack and hit the hay. Go to bed at a decent hour, nap when you can, sit down and take deep relaxing breaths every chance you get. Stress invites illness.

•Slow down – Just say no. Don’t over-schedule your life. Cut back on commitments or enlist help. Your kid doesn’t have to attend every single birthday party, Brownie meeting, ballet class or sporting event. If you’re feeling run down, modify their schedule or enlist help. 

•Eat right. If you admittedly have a poor dietary practices take a multivitamin daily. Additional supplements such as vitamin c, zinc and echinacea are also thought to help build immunity.

•Cut back or quit smoking – Every cigarette counts. Smoking has been proven to lower your bodies resistance to illness. Tobacco smoke has chemicals and particles that irritate airways and lungs making them more susceptible to assault, injury and illness.

•Get a Flu Vaccination – Many people have strong opinions regarding the flu vaccine. Fact -The Flu vaccine cannot give you the flu. It is also highly recommended for children, the elderly, and those who are immunocompromised or have chronic health conditions like asthma or COPD. If you’re a healthy adult, it’s your prerogative whether or not to receive the vaccine.

Stay well.

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