For busy leaders, staying healthy for the holidays is often a challenge. It’s understandable as year end schedules are packed, family commitments multiply, and it’s cold and flu season.
Your time is a valuable resource and if you’re healthy, then you’ll perform better. Why not make sure you don’t fall behind in your work or spend the holidays next to a tissue box.
As a professional speaker, staying healthy is important. It’s hard to focus on an audience if you’re not feeling well or can’t speak due to an illness. At the same time, you come in contact with a lot of people, some of whom may be sick.
Staying healthy is an important part of business. While I have no medical qualifications, I’ve found these tips useful in keeping me healthy for the holidays:
Sleep and Repeat
Getting the right amount of sleep may seem impossible during busy times. But your body needs to rest and recover.
It takes discipline to put aside all distractions, go to bed on time, and do this every night. Otherwise, you’ll likely wake up tired and perform at a lower level.
Think of it like charging your smartphone. If you want the phone to fully charge, then you need to plug it in for as much time as it needs. You can’t get a fully charged phone in half the time.
Wash Your Hands
Whether it’s handshaking or touching an object, our hands can come in contact with a lot of germs. Our hands then can give the germs a free ride to our noses, mouths, and eyes, which leads to infection.
Periodically wash your hands to reduce the risk factor. While on the road, I carry a travel sized bottle of hand sanitizer, so I can disinfect anywhere.
Watch Out For Pens and Other Objects
When you sign credit card charges, do you think about the pen that comes with the bill? It could have been handled by a sick person, been in someone’s mouth, or dropped on the floor. You’re touching that pen.
Get in the habit of carrying and using your own pen. Beware of giving your pen to someone else, as they may accidentally contaminate it before returning it.
I often carry some inexpensive pens that I can donate to these people. That way they get a pen and I don’t get sick.
Similar attention should be paid to your smartphone. While you may be the only one who uses it, if it’s in a room when people are sneezing, then it could be carrying germs. Disinfect it frequently.
Drink Water
Since I’ve lived in several warm climates, I’ve gotten in the habit of drinking water throughout the day. While this may not directly protect you from infection, proper hydration preventsd fatigue. During the holidays, you may drink more alcohol, which can promote dehydration.
Having an extra glass or two of water can also help prevent overeating at events. It’s a simple thing that can make a big difference when it comes to staying healthy for the holidays.
