Ready for a crazy winter health statistic? Employers shell out billions of dollars worth of sick pay in the winter months. Billions! If you’d rather see more of that money go into your annual bonus check, it might be worth it to stay healthy this winter. And if your employer isn’t paying for insurance and sick days, it’s saving YOUR money to stay healthy during the winter months.
- Get a flu shot. It’s not too late! The best time for the vaccine is in October and November, but better late than never. The vaccine is shown to offer up to ninety percent resistance to influenza and ease the symptoms if you do catch it.
- Keep your hands clean. There are tons of portable hand sanitizers to choose from, just in case you can’t find a sink and soap. Just be sure to use enough of the gel that your hands are still damp after 15 seconds of rubbing.
- Always carry your own pen. Those community pens at the store and bank can carry tons of germs. Grab a cheap pack of pens at the dollar store and make sure you always have one with you.
- Make time for friends and family. A study from Carnegie Mellon found that the larger your social network is, the more flu-fighting antibodies your body will produce.
- Treat yourself to a massage. A study of massage done on cancer patients showed huge improvements in immune system function and energy levels. A regular rubdown — whether it comes from a professional or a friend — can help boost mood enhancing chemicals in the brain, too.
- Take a daily multivitamin. Pick one that gives you 100% of your daily requirement for A, B6 and B12, C, and D vitamins, plus calcium, folic acid, and zinc.
- Get enough sleep. That’s good for you all year, by the way.
- Make exercise a part of your routine. Another thing to do all year.