The cold weather seems to bring with it many more colds, flu, and other maladies than we contract in the warmer weather. Unfortunately, this is also the time when the holidays are upon us. None of us need to be sick when we are preparing for family visits, shopping, and other activities. If we could pick a time of year just for colds and flu, it certainly would not be during the holidays. Add to this the fact that we all infect each other. One person at work gets the bug and he or she infects everyone else. Then, when we go home, we infect our family. What’s wrong with us? Well, there are two things that are immediately apparent: we, as a group, are unhealthy, and we don’t pay attention to simple prophylactic measures.

A healthy person rarely gets sick. If we work at staying healthy we stand a good chance of avoiding colds and flu problems. We need to stay healthy all year round, not just when the holidays are coming. Good habits, like some moderate exercise, sensible eating choices, and a good method of allying stress, can go a long way toward keeping us healthy. In the cold weather we tend to stay indoors instead of walking or running outside. When we do this, we take away one of the best things we can do to keep healthy. We could join a gym or work out inside the garage. There are several ways to maintain an exercise regimen when the weather turns inclement. All we need is the will to do one of them. Along with exercise, nutrition is very important. If we eat junk food we will certainly wreck our health. Too often we go shopping and we tend to grab food at any one of the local fast food places. Too bad that this happens too often to maintain our nutritional needs. It doesn’t take long to unbalance our nutrition and, to wreck our health. Overall, our general attitude toward stressful things in our lives must bear up under the extra stresses that present themselves during the holidays. Again, we tend to neglect our normal relaxation techniques and we can fall victim to over emotional outbursts that we may regret later.

To prevent sickness in the here and now, we can bring several things to our rescue. It is always the simple procedures that work the best. In the workplace, where we are susceptible to the germs of many other people, we can knock down many of those germs with a spray can of Lysol. Spray all areas where people touch every day. Some of these areas are: telephones, keyboards, light switches, toilet handles, pencils, pens, and other office supplies. All machines, such as computers, copy machines, and kitchen appliances. All door handles (both sides of the door) and tools of any kind. If you work in an area that may have airborne germs, try to wear a simple mask (like you can get in a hardware store). Wear light gloves (rubber or cloth) if they don’t interfere with work performance. Discard these gloves at the end of the day. Most importantly, wash your hands frequently during the work day with soap and water. Most germs are spread by touching things and then touching ourselves or others. A handshake or scratching one’s nose are potential germ transfers.

At home, all the same rules apply as in the work place. Remember that young children and seniors are especially susceptible to germs. Try to air out the house at least once a day if weather permits. Stale air seems to let germs multiply. Get everyone (if possible) out in the fresh air for a short time to breathe and to get a small amount of exercise and sunshine. Staying indoors works against our body’s ability to keep itself working properly. Don’t forget the family car. Use your Lysol (or other germ killing agent) on all door handles, seats, and steering wheel. Make sure everyone is equipped with clean handkerchiefs when going anywhere. With a little thought, it will be easy to add more good ways to avoid those germs that can make us sick. We certainly don’t want to miss out on the holidays.