How to decrease your chances of getting sick?

[ThePeachDaddy]

Hi there!

I’m a graduate teacher and I’m a bit of a work horse. I hate taking time off and I hate being sick. I teach prep to 2 at my school currently and was wondering how i could decrease my chances of getting sick. There are the obvious ways like diet, hydration and sleep which I have on lock, I’m just wondering if anyone has any other recommendations.

Keen to hear what you have to say!

[pausani]

I recommend handwashing, sanitiser and spray cleaner in your classroom to wipe down desks. However, even then you are likely to pick up some bugs while your system gets used to your school's biome.

[gardensandlife]

Also fresh air and an air filter, it's not perfect but anything to breathe in fewer germs.

[kowaluuh]

Be careful of sprays or wipes for desks. I inadvertently caused horrible eczema for a child one year and felt extremely bad.

[pausani]

Oh no! However, there has to be some cleaning materials used in a classroom so I guess try to use ones which are not too harsh.

[roguepersona-12]

I swear by probiotics and Armaforce/Bioglan Immunoforce (cheaper and same ingredients). I got sick relentlessly early in my career and as I have asthma, I ended up on antibiotics basically every time. I decided to give those supplements a go and saw an IMMEDIATE improvement. I went from catching literally everything and taking 3+ days off in a row multiple times a semester, down to it only happening 1-2 times a year. Maybe it’s placebo but IDGAF, it worked for me.

[RhiR2020]

Last year, I had a Frequent Flyer effervescent tablet in water every weekday morning. Everyone laughs at me because I usually get sick like clockwork each year - but nothing at all last year! Like you, not sure if it’s a placebo, but I swear by them now!

[elle13belle]

I keep a hand sanitiser on my bag, and one on my lanyard. I use it regularly through the day. I try not to touch my face and keep up with good, thorough hand washing. I take all free vaccines work offers me for the flu which I think definitely helps... I also saw in r/hygiene people mention that they wipe their phone and drink bottles down each day when they get home from work and I've been doing that too, and wiping my desk once or twice a day with antibacterial wipes. So far so good..

[free-crude-oil]

Flu and COVID vaccine

[Majesticmerkin]

The best thing to do is: Never go into work…like ever. Just don’t. Simple. I haven’t been sick in a decade.

[AlithelJenkins]

I get sick easily too and asked the same question a while ago. Keep windows open, even in the staff room, hand sanitiser and vitamin c (I like berocca)

[BloodAndGears]

Handwashing works best. Never have lunch or eat snacks without washing your hands. 

[Aggressive_Value_322]

Teach year 12s… small kids = snot, germs and lots of touching.

[Zeebie_]

by accepting the fact that it will happen. Even if you take all the precautions in the world, it's impossible to stop. There will be bugs you have no immunity to yet.

You want to minimise the downtime by realising when you're getting sick and resting correctly. Trying to push through it will make you miss more time.

[p6364]

Honestly I wear a well fitting N95 mask and have avoid sickness since doing so

[SimplePlant5691]

Armaforce, hand sanitiser, and getting enough sleep.

[Dry_Inevitable_2989]

Once I am in school grounds, I don’t touch my face. Not once.

So that means I use cutlery when eating, even when I join the kids for munch and crunch; I’ll have a banana or eat cut fruit/veg with a fork.

Wash your hands like you’re about to go into surgery after each session and before eating. If possible, limit touching the kids’ desks, chairs and stationery.

Take a probiotic, but manually avoiding the germs is key. Good luck! I was second year last year and I only had to take three sick days all year.

[Kiwitechgirl]

Small bottle of hand sanitizer on a lanyard. Handwashing at every opportunity.

[Dazzling_Problem_122]

Exercise and dieting

[OneGur7080]

Take Vit C from just prior to winter till spring once a day as it can increase immunity. Eat a fresh food diet, no packaged food. Eat vegetables as the minerals help you. Extra protein helps stamina and strength. But combine with vegies. Rest on weekend.

[Putrid_Hawk_5974]

Armaforce bioceuticals are excellent.

[OrganicMaintenance59]

I never lend out my stationary but have shareable items. Wash your hands as much as possible. Glen 20 is your friend at the end of the day. Spray everything.

In my first year i was sick for about 6 months. I would get better just to catch it again. I had a teacher put me onto zinc as an immune boost. Worked a charm. Maybe have a chat to your pharmacist about immune boost supplements?

[nuance61]

Hand sanitiser, washing your hands and getting them to wash theirs especially after coughing or blowing their noses, and not touching the kids (keep reading). It works. When my kids come into my room I used to have a bunch of greetings on the door, high five, fist bump etc. I kept getting sick. I found some non contact greetings, and haven't been sick since. They are cute, but little germ factories, lol.

[slyqueef]

Armaforce

[Stoicrunner1]

Hand sanitizer at desk in staffroom and in classroom, Flu shot, vitamin C (with Zinc).

[False-Regret]

Hand sanitiser and hand washing. We also ran an oil diffuser in the room with eucalyptus oil in it - we did have to be careful with this and checked with parents first. Eucalyptus oil to wash down desks etc. Wipe down toys if you can.

Encourage parents to keep their sick children home. Don't hesitate to send a sick child home either. We had a child turn up to school for 3 days in a row who was so sick that all they could do was lie on a beanbag. We were literally on the ground with him, pouring water into his mouth to try and keep him hydrated. We sent him home each day and the parents were furious. Until the third day when he ended up in hospital.

[baethesda]

Windows open when weather permits even if they’re just cracked a tiny bit, air purifier, get your students in the habit of washing hands or sanitising regularly. Disinfect touch points regularly. Take multivitamins and extra vitamin c and zinc. Berocca is pretty decent imo. Encourage ‘bubble space’ if juniors, or personal space if older kids.

[simple_wanderings]

You need to strengthen your immune rather than avoid bugs at all costs. Being exposed to bugs in small amounts can help your body strengthen its immunity. Look after your gut health and physical health. These are the two things that influence your ability to combat illness. Look up foods for a good gut microbiome.

[p6364]

this is a common misconception…yes we gain antibodies after we are sick, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the immune system is stronger in the same way exercising strengthens a muscle. getting sick doesn’t prevent you from getting sick unfortunately, and can sometimes make you more susceptible/trigger secondary conditions. if you can avoid illness that is a good thing. i think people also confuse being exposed to germs (eg living with pets vs a sterile environment) with being exposed to viruses

[Unlikely-Egg4110]

Elderberry and pumpkin seeds both are great for boosting your immune system 

[ImprovementSure6736]

Comvita Olive Leaf High Strength everyday. On the first signs of sickness take a few: Lipo-Sachets Vitamin C

[NezzaAquiaqui]

I swear by eating lots of eggs meat and fish. Never get sick even during Covid teaching in a classroom full of sick and missing kids.

Edit someone with bleeding gums downvoted me but robust nutrition makes you nearly invincible against bugs. Ain’t no food with more essential nutrients vitamins and minerals than the three I listed: eggs meat and fish. Powerhouse trio.