How to Handle Allergy, Cold and Flu Season

“Winter is coming.” A phrase that strikes fear into the hearts of many. Not just because it means something major is impending on Game of Thrones, but because it means the time for getting sick is upon us. Whether it’s just getting a common cold, or something major like the flu, ‘tis the season of sickness. Here’s how to navigate life during what’s sure to be a tiring time!

Utilize preventative measures.

The easiest way to handle getting sick is using preventative tactics. Get your flu shot, not just for your sake, but for everyone else’s! If you skipped your shot, it doesn’t mean you didn’t get someone else sick. Don’t want to stop by your doctor to get the flu shot? Go to Target. It sounds weird, but the MinuteClinics inside Target stores are doing free flu shots AND they give you a $5 Target coupon! In addition to your flu shot, make sure you take vitamin C, and get lots of sleep during this season. It’s hard to have a consistent sleep schedule, but it really helps prevent getting sick!

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Know the sick day policy.

Know what the sick day policy is for your job, internship, or even for your classes! This is also why it’s so important to go to class. If your professor has a set number of class days you’re allowed to miss, SAVE THOSE DAYS. Lots of people use stress as an excuse for missing a day here and there, but you’ll thank yourself later when you’re sick and actually need to stay home.

Don’t use sick days for times when you’re not actually sick. You’ll regret it when you’re not feeling well and can’t stay home!

At your job, know the sick day policy so you don’t force yourself to go to work if you don’t have to. Don’t spread sickness to your coworkers, they won’t appreciate it! If you work hard and earn respect, people are much more willing to help you if you’re sick and need assistance finishing tasks on time. This leads to my last point.

Know when your presence is doing more harm than good. If you’re unable to perform your duties, go home! Don’t get your coworkers sick.

If you establish a great track record, it makes things much easier!

Professors tend to want to help those who help themselves. If you’re proactive in class, turn things in on time, and prove yourself as responsible, things are more likely to work out in your favor. This happens at work, too. A history of being reliable is valuable in the workforce. Arriving late and performing your duties in a sub-par manner won’t help when you’re sick and need an extra day to recover! Your employer won’t go the extra mile for you if you won’t do the same for them. Additionally, sick days sometimes provide employers with an interesting question: how valuable are you? When you’re gone, do people notice? Are there tasks and assignments that definitely need doing? If you aren’t performing so well at your job, it might be a dangerous situation. The last thing you want is for your employer to realize they don’t really need you there.

As we head into the season of sickness, prepare yourself with healthy habits. Make sleep a priority, don’t neglect getting rest! Use preventative immunity-boosting measures instead of regretting it later. But also practice healthy habits with school or your career. Prove yourself as a reliable student or employee so when the time comes that you need some leniency, people are happy to give it to you.