Are You Doing All You Can to Stay Fit and Healthy?

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

18 Apr 2009 04:57 PM

What happens to your fitness routine when you get sick? Do you take a few days off to recuperate, or do you push yourself and fight through the pain? Doctors recommend the former to give your body a chance to rest and heal. Health experts also suggest that you drink plenty of fluids and wash your hands frequently. Following those tips will also help you avoid getting sick in the future.

The following are other ways you can prevent illness and subsequent disruptions to your regular workout routine:

Bad Bathrooms

A recent study found that when it comes to cleaning, most Americans don't neglect the bathroom. Homeowners scrub the toilet, the tub, and countertops on a regular basis to cut down on germs. Unfortunately, those same people miss cleaning one very big breeding ground for germs--the soap dispenser. Studies show the soap dispenser is typically contaminated with fecal matter because it is constantly being touched by dirty hands. Think about it: You use the toilet, and then you place your hands on the soap dispenser to wash off residual fecal matter. No wonder why there is a continuous growth of bacteria on the top of the soap dispenser.

To avoid transferring bacteria to the soap dispenser, scrub your hands thoroughly, for 20 seconds, with hot water. If you are teaching young children about proper hand washing, encourage them to sing "Happy Birthday" (which is about 20 seconds long) while they scrub up. If you can't get to a sink after using the toilet, then use an anti-bacterial wipe to scrub your hands.

Cruddy Cellphones

Take a moment to think about all the places you set down your cellphone in the course of a day. Counters in public restrooms, restaurant tables, the backseat of taxicabs, your car's dirty dashboard... Studies on cellphones found that they carry tons of bacteria, including staph, pseudomonas, and salmonella. These types of germs can cause everything from skin infections to stomach ailments. What's more, many electronic devices are shielded by leather or vinyl cases, which provide even more creases and crevices for germs to hide.

To avoid getting sick from your cellphone, gently scrub it with a disinfecting wipe a few times a week, and be more careful of where you put it when you are not using it.

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Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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