Your health is important. That is an indisputable fact. Without good health other things become insignificant. If you don’t feel good you can’t be as productive as you’d like to be, and depending upon the extent of the problem, you may not be productive at all. Protecting your physical health is vital in maintaining a happy lifestyle. Feeling good helps you focus your thoughts. Not having to worry about whether or not you’ll be able to function due to a cold or the flu, or something worse, allows you to concentrate on getting the task done. Then it’s on to enjoying your free time.

Maintaining a healthy body depends on many factors, one of which is limiting your exposure to germs which cause illness. Germs cling to a variety of surfaces, including human skin, and nearly anything or anyone you come in contact with can transfer disease carrying germs. You could lock yourself away so you don’t come into contact with anyone, but that may not guarantee your health, and your quality of life would certainly suffer. Being wary and avoiding germs won’t guarantee good health, but it could help. The following tips will help you fight germs during cold and flu season.

1. Wash Your Hands Often

It is a readily accepted fact that washing your hands often can help prevent the spread of disease. It is a simple deterrent to guard against illness. We’ve all seen signs in the restrooms of fast food restaurants reminding employees to wash their hands. It’s something we can all take to heart. It only takes a few seconds to lather up and then rinse. Bingo, you’re done and on your way, confident you’ve done what you can to fight those disgusting germs.

2. Limit Contact with Others

Avoiding human contact as a means of staying healthy is an option, but not a very good one. Shaking hands is a common practice, a method of showing respect to another person. It’s something men do routinely without thinking about the consequences of their actions. Germs can spread easily through a brief handshake. During the cold and flu season it might be better to simply greet someone and forego the handshake. In the same way, women tend to hug and trade a brief peck on the cheek. If vile germs are present, a transfer is sure to take place. As with men’s handshakes, it may be more prudent to simply trade a compliment and move on. If you do come in contact with people throughout the day, be sure to wash your hands often.

3. Avoid Touching Germ-Ridden Objects

In the same way that touching people through hugs or handshakes can transfer germs, touching objects is a surefire way for you to become infected if cold or flu bugs are present. Fortunately, you don’t have to be concerned about hurting a door handle’s feelings if you use a hanky or tissue to turn it. Any surface can carry germs. Don’t be afraid of looking silly, better to use your elbow to push the elevator button than to spend a week in bed coughing and hacking.

4. Disinfect Surfaces at Work

In an office environment there are many surfaces you come in contact with on a regular basis, and many of them could contain harmful germs. Computers, coffee cups or your own desk are a few examples of things you come into contact with on a regular basis that could be harboring germs. Using disinfectant sprays or wipes is an easy way to fight germs, and there are many products that are eco-friendly that will do the job. You can also make your own homemade disinfectant by combining two cups of distilled water with 1/4 cup of white vinegar, 5 drops of tea tree essential oil, and 5 drops of lemon essential oil. Place the solution in a spray bottle and disinfect as necessary.

5. Travel Safely

Upon leaving your workplace it’s important to remember that germs travel, too. The surfaces of hand rails on public busses or trains, as well as the seats and door handles on cabs are probably covered with germs. Even you own car is germ ridden. They’re everywhere! Take the same precautions you did at the office. Disinfectants work!

6. Don’t Forget the Homefront

Protecting yourself against germs at work and on the ride home is beneficial, but don’t forget, germs can gather anywhere, even your own couch or kitchen table. Using the same disinfectants can help eliminate whatever germs you may have brought home with you or whatever a visitor left behind.

7. Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle

What now? You’ve done all you can to protect yourself from those nasty germs, even to the point of looking silly by using your shoulder to open doors whenever possible. That’s still no guarantee you won’t come in contact with filthy, disease carrying little bugs. An old saying goes, “the best defense is a good offense.” The same is true in your fight against germs. In this case a good offense is physical fitness. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle by eating right and exercising regularly is no guarantee you won’t get sick, but it’ll give your body a better chance to ward off illness.

8. Wash Your Hands Often

Yes, that was the first tip…for a very good reason, and it bears repeating. Frequently washing your hands with soap and warm water, especially after touching everyday surfaces, is the number one best defense against the spread of germs. The importance of this can’t be downplayed. Experts are in agreement. Washing your hands often is the best way to help prevent the spread of germs. It’s vital in your overall effort to stay healthy and fight germs.

Guest post from Bailey Harris. Bailey writes about health insurance quotes and related topics for www.healthinsurancequotes.org.