People who rarely get ill may appear to be superhuman, but in reality they are most likely engaging in immune-stimulating behaviors that help them stay healthy no matter what virus is prevalent at the time.
Then read on to learn how Dr. Tomi Mitchell, a Board-Certified Family Physician with Holistic Wellness Strategies, never gets sick and her advice on how to help prevent illness. And to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had COVID. If you want to be like the people who can stockpile their sick days and never spend time in bed recovering from the flu.
Simple Ways to Never Get Sick
1. Doctor’s Insights on Not Getting Sick
As a doctor who has treated tens of thousands of patients and has been exposed to a variety of viruses and germs, Dr. Mitchell says, “I prided myself on seldom being sick. Additionally, there was a period when wearing a mask wasn’t as ubiquitous as it is now and people coughed and sneezed on me more often than I recall.
My “luck,” though, went out once I had kids. I always ended up getting whatever my kids had whenever they were ill. Despite my best efforts to stay away from children while they were ill or how frequently I cleaned my hands, I always appeared to become ill myself, luckily it was only mild and short-lived.
Therefore, you may be wondering why certain people virtually ever get ill. You’ve probably seen that certain individuals never seem to be ill. They always appear to remain healthy, no matter what is going on. What, then, is their secret? While there are many elements that affect one’s health, folks who are generally healthy have a few characteristics.
They often have strong immune systems, to start. As a result, they are more capable of warding off illnesses and infections. Additionally, they frequently consume a good diet and exercise frequently, both of which assist strengthen the immune system. Lastly, they take precautions to prevent coming into contact with microorganisms that might cause disease, such as routinely washing their hands and avoiding.
2. Wash Hands Frequently
“This might sound basic, but it was occasionally distressing to see how frequently this wasn’t done,” says Dr. Mitchell. In certain instances of show-and-tell in medicine, the patient demonstrates and feels the region of concern—often with their bare hands. I would kindly inform them to wash their hands thereafter by providing them with soap and paper towels. I’ve seen individuals shake hands, touch door knobs after touching body fluids, and the list goes on.
A quick and simple technique to stop infections is by washing your hands. The spread of germs, particularly those that are resistant to medications and are getting harder, if not impossible, to cure, may be stopped by washing your hands.
Before and after coming into contact with patients, as well as after touching bodily fluids or surfaces that can be contaminated with germs or viruses, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises washing hands with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
The spread of antibiotic-resistant germs, such as MRSA and Clostridium difficile, must be stopped by practicing good hand hygiene (C. diff). These infections can result in serious disease, protracted hospital admissions, higher healthcare expenses, and even death. To safeguard patients and stop the spread of infection, healthcare workers must practice better hand hygiene.
3. Wipe Down Surfaces Your Near the Most
According to Dr. Mitchell, “I had a tight process of cleaning down and disinfecting exam beds after usage, including the edges. I’ve seen instances much too frequently when the norm for patients was just to have their bed sheets changed.
Since several inspections required people to remove their clothing, I was repulsed since there was frequently a chance that body fluids might be transported onto the bed. Not just the tiny, slender exam paper strip, but the entire bed, was touched by bare skin.
I couldn’t bear the idea of transferring potentially contaminated body fluids from the bed to my clothes. Maybe this explains in part why I didn’t find being an obstetrician or urologist appealing.
4. Sanitize Door Handles
I don’t touch the doors of public restrooms, Dr. Mitchell admits. I either open it with my foot or with a paper towel that I have in my possession. Then, as soon as I can after leaving the restroom, I sterilize my hands.
The majority of us are aware of how important it is to wash our hands often, but we frequently forget to clean other high-touch locations in our homes and places of employment. Remote controls, keyboards, light switches, and door knobs are just a few examples of areas where germs may easily assemble.
Furthermore, because we touch these items so regularly, they may be a substantial source of microorganisms that cause disease. The greatest method to lower the risk of contracting an illness from these high-touch locations is by routine cleaning.
5. Maintain High Standards for Those Around Me
According to Dr. Mitchell, “I maintained visible signs and I often stressed the significance of handwashing.” “For instance, my staff and coworkers were aware that you had to wash your hands before eating if we were sharing food at a team meal. I was reputed to look whether these regulations were broken.
Over time, I stopped going to buffets because I realized the serving silverware was contaminated with pathogens.”
6. Know the Standards of People You Work With or Around
The doctor explains. “Many individuals are unaware of how simple it is to spread illness. Your body releases viruses or germs that might infect others while you are ill. And even if you’re in good health, you might catch these infections from others around you.
Consequently, it is imperative to exercise caution when choosing the individuals you hang out with, do business with, and eat with. Whenever possible, stay away from ill people. If you can’t avoid them, avoid touching your face and frequently wash your hands.
Take precautions to avoid getting sick while at work, such as cleaning your desk and using hand sanitizer. Additionally, take care not to share your food or utensils with others when you are eating. These straightforward safety measures can assist.
7. Be Mindful of Animals and Their Hygiene
“Too many loving pet owners touch their pets and then touch the food, or their pets go on their kitchen counter,” Dr. Mitchell says. “This is a resounding no for me. I am a dog lover and have owned a dog, but I have my boundaries regarding hygiene.
Animals lick their genitals and come in contact with their bodily fluids and that of others, more than I care to know. This is concerning, as there are many ways in which pets can transmit diseases to humans. For example, pets can carry bacteria on their fur that can cause gastrointestinal illness if transferred to humans. They can also transmit parasites to people, such as roundworms and tapeworms.
Additionally, some pets may be infected with zoonotic viruses, such as rabies or influenza, which can be passed on to humans. As a result, it is essential for pet owners to practice good hygiene and always wash their hands after coming into contact with animals. Failure to do so could put themselves and others at risk for serious illness.
8. Live a Healthy Lifestyle
“I am not perfect, but some habits are a definite no-no for me,” admits Dr. Mitchell. The first one smokes, whereas the second one leads a sedentary lifestyle. I enjoy eating, and I am aware that occasionally I have a sweet appetite, but overall I consume a healthy, varied diet.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is crucial for strengthening immunity as well as preventing illness. The body is better prepared to fend against infection and disease when it is operating at its peak.
A strong immune system is maintained in large part by nutrition. Antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals help the body’s defensive mechanisms. Furthermore, a strong immune system depends on getting enough sleep and exercising regularly.
