Happiness at Work - Prevent Contagious Illnesses and Costly Errors Related to Sickness

By Doris Helge, Ph.D.

If you're contagious, how will it serve anyone for you to share your illness? Can you stay at home today and span the gap with the Internet or a cell phone?

If you feel compelled to drag yourself to the office when you're feverish and sniffling, take responsibility for what you bring with you. Tell people you aren't choosing to shake hands because you care about their health. Stay at your own desk when you can, use your own pen or pencil, and distance yourself from others during meetings. Wash your hands often so you don't subject others to second-hand germs when you touch doorknobs, elevator buttons, and community phones and computers.

Think long term. Your performance is compromised when you're ill. It usually takes longer to clean up mistakes than to do a job well the first time. Illness usually fades over time, but mistakes can leave a lasting impression.

Whenever possible, avoid going back to work until you've had a good night's rest because it's much harder for your body to fight a virus when you're exhausted.

GERMS THAT GO AROUND, COME AROUND

Prevention is always the best cure for illness. We have total control over how often we wash our hands with soap. Lather the soap and scrub under your nails and between your fingers for 15 seconds before rinsing with water.

Use your own pen or pencil so viruses aren't transmitted to your fingers and then to your face, eyes, or nose. Clean your work area with the intention to eliminate germs. Since a rhinovirus can survive up to three hours, the National Institutes of Health advises cleaning desk surfaces with a disinfectant regularly. Is it a hassle? Not if it means avoiding days sick in bed.

There are many non-toxic cleaning chemicals available now that will keep Mother Earth happy. If you don't have a health food store near you that carries non-toxic cleaning supplies, you can search the Internet for "green cleaning products."

PREVENTION, PREVENTION, PREVENTION

Exercise boosts your immune system. Even short stints of exercise will enhance immunity because exercise stimulates antibodies that probe the cells of your body to discover and zap nasty germs. Even a few minutes of exercise will help you gain new energy for the rest of the day.

Don't postpone exercise just because you can't find 45 minutes a day for an ideal exercise session. You can spike healthy human growth hormone with as little as 30 seconds of high-intensity exercise. You'll also create a boost in your metabolism that will last several hours.

Many studies have touted the benefits of drinking green tea to boost your immune system. Scientists have also confirmed the value of homemade chicken soup to reduce inflammation and inhibit mucus production.

If you're a smoker, ask yourself why. If you don't smoke, limit your exposure to secondhand smoke.

Remind yourself that you do have time for breakfast. Why? Studies have consistently indicated that people who eat a good breakfast are healthier, more energetic, and happier at work.

Love your body. It's where you live, no matter how far you roam.

A decade of research (the "Happiness at Work Factor Studies") included interviews with over 650 employees, managers, and entrepreneurs. It became clear that people who are happy at work care about their own well-being . . . and the health of their coworkers and customers. No-cost solutions were identified to the major problems that block joy on the job. Struggling to work when ill was one "joy block" covered in "Joy on the Job" research studies and books.

Enjoy more happiness at work for yourself and those around you by using the proven ideas in this article.

(c) 2008

Visit http://MoreJoyOnTheJob.com and get more free tips, podcasts, & special reports. Sign up for the free "Joy On the Job Ezine." Doris Helge, Ph.D., is an executive coach, corporate trainer, and speaker. She is author of "Joy on the Job," "Transforming Pain Into Power," and other books. Dr. Helge hosts the "More Joy on the Job" radio show. See http://www.JoyOnTheJob.info

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