It's that time of year. Coughs and sneezes ring out throughout the office like Handel's Hallelujah Chorus. Coworkers are dropping like flies left and right, passing sickness around like a hot potato. During flu and cold season, there is no one you can trust besides yourself. You are the only one looking out for you. And since event season only gets busier around the holidays, you are your best defense against illness. Here are a few key ways to avoid getting sick at events.
Before the Event
Vitamin C
Has everyone around you started to look like a zombie? Take some Vitamin C and try to stay ahead of whatever cold is attacking the office.
Sleep
There are so few hours in the day for event planners, but you need to remember that the hours spent in slumber are worth it. When you're tired you get run down. When you get run down, you get sick. Add an extra hour or two into your sleep schedule.
Herbal Tea
Or any liquids. Caffeine, while necessary to wake you up, isn't the best to keep you from getting sick. Drink plenty of liquids. A sore throat? Try herbal tea with plenty of honey.
Eat Fruits and Veggies
What you eat can help or hurt you. If you feel like you're getting sick, don't use this time to double down on the amount of fast food you buy. Eat things that will keep you going and make you feel great.
Workout
You don't want to go to the gym. There's no time. It's cold outside. There are a million reasons not to workout and a million more to do it. Staying active keeps your body healthy and more resilient to infections. If you're already feeling sick - take it easy. But if not, adding in even a short workout could mean the difference between catching a cold and not.
Traveling to the Event
Antibacterial Wipes
Airplanes are gross. That's a simple fact. Carry some wipes in your bag and sanitize your tray table and tv screen. If you're planning to touch it, wipe it.
Avoid 'Coughers'
You can't always point out a cougher or a sneezer. They may hide their ailments well. But for those that don't, run away. When you're waiting at your terminal, don't feel bad standing up and moving to a different seat if the person next to you and forcefully spewing their germs into the air.
Onsite
Hydrate
Never stop drinking water. I can't reiterate this enough. Stay hydrated!
Again - Sleep
It’s impossible. I KNOW. But if you feel yourself getting sick, take the time to slow down. If you can even nab a few minutes during the event to close your eyes, do it. Otherwise, that cold will latch on to your worn down body and take you out of commission when you can't afford to take time off.
After the Event
Finally - Sleep
This is the time when you actually can sleep. Even though you most likely have another event just around the bend, take a little time to recharge your batteries.
Self-Care
Treat yourself right. Get a massage, take a spa day, or take a day to lie in bed and do absolutely nothing. Recharge those batteries so that you can be back in action, better than ever.
