7 Ways to Avoid Getting Sick

1. Wash Your Hands and Wash Them Often

The US Naval Health Research Center conducted a study of 40,000 recruits who were ordered to wash their hands five times a day. The recruits cut their incidence of respiratory illnesses by 45%.

2. Get Smart About Hand-drying in Public Washrooms

Studies find a shockingly large percentage of people fail to wash their hands after using a public toilet. And every single one of them touches the door handle on the way out. So after washing your hands, use a paper towel to turn off the tap. Use another paper towel to dry your hands, then open the door with that paper towel as a barrier between you and the handle.

3. Sneeze and Cough into Your Arm or a Tissue

Whoever taught us to cover our mouths when we cough or sneeze got it wrong. That just puts the germs right on our hands, where you can spread them to objects–and other people. Instead, hold the crook of your elbow over your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough if a tissue isn’t handy. It’s pretty rare that you shake someone’s elbow or scratch your eye with an elbow, after all.

4. Get a Flu Shot Every Year

The best prevention strategy for influenza is an annual vaccination. The vaccine is particularly important for people at risk of serious complications from the flu. This includes healthcare workers, people with chronic conditions such as diabetes, asthma, kidney problems or heart disease, people aged over 65 and pregnant women. People whose immune systems are weakened through illness or medication should also ask their family doctor about getting the shot. For more information, visit the official site for the Public Health Agency of Canada.

5. Change Your Toothbrush Every Three Months

You think your toothbrush gets your teeth clean–and it does. But once you’ve finished brushing, it can be a breeding ground for germs. Most dentists recommend you change your toothbrush every two to three months. It’s also a good idea to replace it after you’ve had a cold or flu to prevent reinfection.

6. Use a Humidifier

Dry air provides the perfect environment for cold viruses to thrive, which is one reason why colds are so much more common in winter. And when your mucous membranes dry out, your nose and throat are more prone to irritation. Use a room humidifier, but make sure you change the water daily and clean it every few days.

7. Get Moving

Ride a bike, join a dance class, or go for a brisk walk. A 2006 study found that older women who did 45 minutes of moderate exercise, five times a week for a year, were up to three times less likely to get a cold than the more sedentary women. The researchers found that the exercisers’ immunity was strongest in the last three months of the study.

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