Tag Archive for: germs

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6 Ways To Avoid Getting Sick During The Holidays

cold-and-flu-185711581With winter fast approaching, the cold and flu season is just around the corner.  So how can you avoid getting sick during the Holidays? Try to incorporate these 6 easy tips into your every day routines.

  • Hand sanitizer and hand washing

When hand sanitizers are used correctly, they can eliminate up to 99.9% of germs.  Make sure you use enough product so your hands still feel damp after rubbing together for 10 to 15 seconds, and that the product has at least a 60% alcohol content.

If you are washing your hands with soap; wet your hands with running water, apply soap, lather well and rub your hands vigorously for at least 20 seconds.

  • Extra package of pens

Cold and flu germs are easily passed through hand-to-hand contact, and using someone’s pen is a good way to come into contact with germs. Having your own supply of inexpensive pens will keep you safe from unwanted germs.

  • Phones and keyboards

Just as with pens, phones and keyboards can be a “mine field” of germs. Make sure to have a small package of anti bacterial wet wipes with you…. and don’t be afraid to use them!

  •  Schedule a massage

Getting a massage, can reduce stress and increase serotonin and dopamine, which are mood boosters that can help protect and increase your body’s immune system.

  • Stay hydrated

With the cooler weather, many of us forget to drink enough water. You still need to aim for about two litres of water daily for your body to function at peak performance.

  •  Increase spices and digestion friendly foods 

Many digestion friendly foods and spices have the added benefit of boosting your immune system with their  antibacterial properties. Try adding dark greens, berries, garlic, onions, ginger, cumin, and oregano to your meals.  You can also strengthen your body’s defenses by eating foods that contain natural probiotics like yogurt, miso soup, and pickled foods like sauerkraut and pickles.

These are just some of the simple things you can do to strengthen you immune system, so you can avoid getting a cold or flu this winter!

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Is Your Gym Making You Sick?

Is Your Gym Making You Sick?A single piece of gym equipment may have hundreds of users on any given day, and we all know that not everybody cleans the machines after they have finished their workout.

Sweat is not the only issue, there are viruses, bacteria, germs and even bed bugs that can live on surfaces for a few seconds, up to 48 hours.

Cleaning of the gym equipment, change rooms, floors and reception area should be a top priority for all fitness facilities.

Most fitness centres do clean their machines and facility on a schedule, but it is still easy to become exposed to another person’s sweat and germs if you use a machine right after someone else has just finished.

To protect yourself, here are some options for keeping  the gym equipment clean both before and after your workout.

Vinegar and Water-Based Disinfectant

Mix a 50/50 solution of water to white vinegar and place in a spray bottle and keep it on hand to wipe down the machines. Carry a small spray bottle in your gym bag and spray the solution directly onto the machine before use and wipe thoroughly.

A water-based cleaning solution should be sprayed on every machine and surface in the facility, including the mats and flooring to prevent the spread of athlete’s foot.  Many gyms offer spray bottles and paper towels for patrons to wipe down machines, but be sure to bring your own… just in case.

Wet Wipes

These are a fast and efficient way to clean the equipment if you do not want to be bothered with a spray bottle.

Hand Sanitizer

Frequent hand washing is essential to reduce the risk of germ transmission. Remember that most people will touch a wide variety of equipment and surfaces.  If your facility does not have hand-sanitizer dispensers mounted on the walls, bring your own small bottle of  hand sanitizer to use.

Towels

While towels will not kill viruses or bacteria, they  can provide a barrier  between you and the equipment, as well as “mopping up” sweat  by the last person; so bring a few extra towels to your workout.

Both sweat and cleaning products can break down vinyl and foam padding and these cracks and rips can become a breeding ground for bacteria. If you have to use a piece of equipment with a rip or crack, place a clean towel over the “lesion” and let the facility know of the crack or rip, so that they can repair the material asap!

A gym is a place where you can improve your health, but it can also be a breeding ground for viruses and germs, so protect yourself by using the above guidelines.

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