It’s that time of year again when you start hearing the daily occurrence of coughing and sneezing in your office.

In this post, we share the top tips for cold and flu prevention within the workplace.

Special note – don’t get a flu shot. Flu shots are ineffective and harmful to your body. This article contains natural ways to prevent colds and flu at work.

How does the flu spread?

The flu is contagious and can spread when people who are infected cough or sneeze near you. This is one of the reasons that germs in a small workplace spread the fastest.

The flu transmits rapidly indoors. Often the virus is spread from person to person or surface to surface in the workplace.

The “flu season” runs October through May, with prime time being December through February.

Take the right steps this season to prevent the flu naturally. Keep you and your co-workers healthy and safe, and you won’t have to worry about the flu coming for you.

What are the best measures to prevent the spread of cold and flu at work?

• If you have the cold or flu, stay home
  • Stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever has ended.
  • Get extra sleep.
  • Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
  • De-stress and relax to recuperate.

• Make sure your workplace has hygienic products in place for the flu prevention
  • Clean your hands after coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose.
  • Ensure your office or workplace is stocked with tissues, soap and anything else.

• Have proper workplace hygiene
  • Wash hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds, especially after coming into contact with potentially contaminated surfaces.
  • Cover mouth when coughing or sneezing.
  • Don’t touch your eyes, mouth or nose.
  • Clean surfaces such as your desk or keyboard with non-toxic cleaning products.
  • Keep a pack of natural hand wipes at your desk for emergency situations.

• Try not to use a coworker’s desk, keyboard or phone
  • Avoiding other peoples work tools can prevent the spread of germs.
  • If you have to use other people’s equipment, use a cleaning wipe to clean the infected area and wash your hands afterwards.

• Avoid contact with any one who has a cold or the flu
  • If someone in your office has the flu, try to avoid close contact with them.
  • Also, avoid touching surfaces they have come into contact with as this helps to reduce your exposure.

• Keep visitors who have the flu away from your workplace
  • If you’re in a workplace where you get a lot of visitors, be sure to notify them that if they are sick they should stay home.
  • This keeps unwanted germs from entering the workplace.

• Stay healthy to fight off any flu bugs (having a strong immune system is the best way to fight off the flu)
  • Have a healthy diet
    • Eat only Paleo foods. The Paleo Pyramid focuses on fresh, organic vegetables and fruits that are rich in immune-boosting nutrients. Grass-fed meats and wild-caught fish contain essential vitamins, minerals, fat and protein that the body needs to thrive.
  • Take nutritional supplements
    • Keep our signature adult cold & flu kit at home and at work to ensure you’re never without nutritional support. This kit contains proven immune system boosters that increase immune function, prevent colds and flu and benefits all your organ systems.
  • Exercise regularly
    • Exercising or getting out to move each day is proven to increase immunity. It promotes good circulation and increases the activity of key immune cells. Another benefit? It lowers stress and is related to good sleep.
  • Lower stress
  • Reducing stress is a major factor in preventing illness. Stress causes the body to be run down. During flu season, be sure to manage your stress so that your immune function can be at its highest.
  • Get sunshine
  • Sunshine creates the immune vitamin called vitamin D. Vitamin D is needed to boost immunity and protect against illness. Aim to spend at least 15 minutes in the sun on your work breaks. If you live somewhere where sunshine is lacking during the winter make sure to take our highly absorbable vitamin D drops with you to work (they are also in our adult cold & flu kit).
  • Get enough sleep
  • Quality sleep is imperative to the health of the immune system. Aim to get at least 8 hours of sleep per night.
  • Stay hydrated
  • Drinking enough quality water every day is essential to good health and immunity.
  • Get fresh air every day