It’s cold season.
Did we learn nothing during a pandemic? If you like to rub your eyes, pick at your nose (or nosering), or wipe your mouth — Don’t do it! Or be sure your hands are freshly washed. Then maybe wash them again.
It’s ok to wash your hands 20+ times a day. IMO, you don’t need antibacterial soaps that dry your hands out, just soap. Move the soap around for a bit and rinse with warm-hot water.
If handwashing isn’t an option, consider using the inside of your shirt to rub eyes, nose, mouth. It’s not that gross. It’s less gross than what is on your hands. Or, use a tissue.
These handsy habits are possibly acquired by observing and mimicking others, including family members. Watching someone going to town rubbing their eyes looks SO good you have to try it too. Consider bacterial and viral loads that enter our bodies through the eyes (pinkeye, herpes), nose (anything bad) and mouth (anything bad).
If your habits are allergy related, challenge yourself to find other methods of relief. For itchy eyes, try resting a warm, wet washcloth on your eyes for a few minutes anytime throughout the day. This also helps with “Dry Eye” as it redistributes the oils in the eyes. If your nose and mouth are affected by allergies, treat it as if you had a cold so viruses don’t enter your body. It doesn’t sound fun to have a viral infection, plus allergies.
Other things people say and do when sick:
I don’t think I’m contagious.
How do you know? It’s generally accepted that if you are still having symptoms you are still shedding virus.
It’s just a cough.
That’s how it spreads. Don’t be around people. Don’t cough into your hand like the woman at Trader Joe’s that then touched all the vanilla products in the baking aisle. Don’t be that woman. Don’t cough into the air, cover your mouth with your arm or shoulder. Be vigilant about washing your hands and clothes.
Masks are Cool.
Why were doctors the only one’s wearing masks pre-covid? I still wear masks with clients when working near the face, mostly because it seems polite not to potentially spit on my client when speaking. You can wear a mask if you’re not sure you’re contagious while recovering from a cold. There are still stylish ones for sale. I like MaskC or Kind. brands.
Greeting Others
I’m a huge fan of the no-hand-touching greeting. What is wrong with looking someone in the eyes and connecting that way? Even hugs seem less likely to transfer germs since you’re just touching clothing and you can turn your face away.
In conclusion, don’t touch your face.
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