With so many germs and illnesses going around, the best way to protect your health and reduce your chances of getting sick is to wash your hands often – this is the most effective way to reduce the spread of germs and keep you healthy.

In addition to washing your hands after using the bathroom, make sure to wash before eating and after touching objects that get used frequently, like your office keyboard, doorknobs, and light switches.

One of the main reasons that illness is so rampant during this time of year is because the cold weather keeps people inside with one another. With your home or office being closed up, this gives germs the opportunity to spread far and wide.

With so many holidays occurring this time of year, you may be traveling to see loved ones or going to more parties than usual. These get-togethers make it easy for germs to spread.

To reduce your chances of getting ill, it’s best to avoid people who are sick. This includes your coworkers and family members who aren’t feeling well. Encouraging people to stay home from work to reduce the chances of illness is also recommended.

To ensure that your body has the energy it needs to fight off infections, you need to make sure you’re getting enough rest. The average adult needs between six and eight hours to feel totally rested. When you get at least 7 hours of sleep a night, this will leave you feeling awake and alert, as well as give your body the strength it needs to stay healthy.

Drinking more water will improve virtually every aspect of your health. Water is needed to flush germs out of your body. Thus, if you are properly hydrated, your immune system will work optimally and be able to fight off any illness that might come your way.

Every year, beginning about November, millions of people get sick with the flu. While this may seem like a really bad cold, it’s much more than that. The flu is an incredibly contagious disease that can have a big impact on your respiratory system. In some cases, it can even lead to death. The best way to protect yourself and ensure that you stay healthy when the cold weather moves in is to get your annual flu shot.

The best way to prevent an illness and understand how healthy you are is to get an annual physical and have blood work done.

In addition, having blood work done will let you know if your body is low on any necessary vitamins, and then you can take measures to stay healthy. Not only is this a good thing to do during the cold months, but it will benefit you all year long.

For many, this time of year can bring about seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which can lead to depression. Not only can this condition be debilitating, but it can also have an impact on your physical well-being. You may not feel like getting out of bed or exercising, which can leave you susceptible to many diseases.

If you find that you don’t enjoy the things you once did or you have no energy throughout the day, consider talking to your doctor or a therapist. They’ll be able to diagnose whether you are suffering from depression or another ailment, as well as give you some ways to feel better.

Find out more about the wellness and prevention care services offered at our Urgent Care Centers by calling for our Bloomfield location or Plymouth location.