Staying healthy physically is a very important part of our spiritual well-being.
At the Bay Area Christian Church, we understand that it’s incredibly difficult to love God and others with all your heart, soul, mind and strength when you are sick. We also understand that churches are social organizations; when one person catches a virus it will affect many others unless we are wise about how we handle it.
So this cold and flu season, be considerate and be proactive about taking care of your health with these 5 essential cold and flu prevention steps:
1. Wash your hands – frequently
According to the CDC, hand-washing is like a do-it-yourself vaccine.Washing your hands is one of the best ways to prevent sickness and to avoid spreading germs to others.
Check out this article from the CDC for effective hand-washing techniques and what to do when soap and water aren’t available.
2. Avoid touching your face
Germs enter our system when we touch our mouths, noses, and eyes. Avoid touching your face to prevent germs entering your body.
3. Build your immune system
A strong immune system will fight off viruses, even if you are exposed to them. Get plenty of sleep and exercise, take your vitamins, eat a balanced diet, and try to manage your stress.
The time and energy put into these preventative measures are well worth it when it comes to preventing sickness.
4. Cover your mouth and nose whenever you sneeze or cough
Practice good hygiene – use a tissue, and throw the tissue away after you use it. Simple measures like this will prevent the spread of germs.
5. When in doubt, stay home
Don’t be a martyr – stay home if you are feeling sick. Your coworkers and friends will appreciate not being exposed to a virus.
If you are experiencing cold or flu-like symptoms, stay home for at least 24 hours even after your fever is gone without the use of fever-reducing medicine. This will lead to a quick recovery and make sure your friends don’t catch your sickness.
