Helping your clients one-on-one is a vital part of your private practice, but (hopefully) never at the expense of your own personal health.
Staying healthy during flu season means you can continue to see your clients and help them the best way you know how: by being there. Here are our top 5 favorite, easy ways to stay healthy during flu season.
1. Get a Flu Shot
It may seem obvious, but it’s easy to keep putting off getting a flu shot. It’s never too late in the season to get a shot, but companies do only make a certain number of them, so the earlier the better.
If you haven’t gotten a shot yet, pull out your calendar and pick an afternoon to go get it done. If your doctor’s office is booked solid for the day you chose, check your local pharmacies – many offer free or low-cost flu shots, and it may be covered by your insurance plan too.
2. Wash Your Hands Very Often
This may seem like another obvious tip, but how often do you really wash your hands during the day? Probably after you go to the bathroom, but that might be it.
Take a break in-between each one of your clients, go to the bathroom, and wash your hands. That way you’re fresh, focused, and ready to help your next client.
If getting to a sink isn’t an option, try a non-alcohol effective hand spray (alcohol versions can dry your hands quickly and contribute to the growth of “superbugs”) – we like CleanWell, which come in pocket-sized sprays, desktop foam, and wipes.
3. Keep Your Office as Clean as Your Hands
Speaking of hand sprays, using a disinfecting spray or wipes in your office can help to cut down on the transmission of colds and flus too. Viruses can live for up to 8 hours on surfaces, so wiping things down a few times a day is a great way to keep the viruses at bay.
We recommend going the convenient route and using disinfecting wipes from companies like CleanWell, Seventh Generation, and Babyganics. A few times a day (and especially if you see a client you think might be sick), wipe down the most often used areas and items in your office: door knobs, light switches, pens, clipboards, side tables, your desk … etc.
4. Stay Hydrated
Flu germs love to take advantage of the dry air many of us live in during the colder months, thanks to indoor heat. Staying hydrated will make your body less inhabitable to flu germs and you’ll feel healthier overall.
Along with simply drinking water and hot tea, you can also run a humidifier on low in your office where you see clients. This will keep the air comfortably humid, which can also put your clients more at-ease.
5. Indulge in Sleep
I’m sure you often hear about how many of us need to get more sleep – who doesn’t? The colder months are a perfect time to go to bed earlier and catch some extra Zzzzs. By ensuring that you get 8 hours of solid sleep each night, you body will have time to repair and process the stress and action of your day. This will help your immune system stay strong and your mind will be that much more fresh to help your clients each day.
Keep these 5 tips in mind this flu season to ensure you stay healthy and vibrant — for yourself, and for your clients.
What are your favorite tips for staying healthy during the flu season?