How to Avoid Getting Sick

Are there certain times of year you just can't get sick? Do you have an occupation or livelihood that would be threatened if you came down with even a common cold?

I'm a singer and I can't afford to even get the sniffles before I perform a solo. Most viral and bacterial infections, no matter how seemingly mild, interfere with the voice and can wreak havoc on a performance. Cough, sneeze or croak during a solo or two and you may not be asked to sing again.

Because of this, performers like me do everything we can to avoid getting ill. This can be tough, especially during the winter months when everyone around you is coughing and sneezing, but there are certain steps you can take that will dramatically lower your chances of getting what they have. (Some of these measures may seem extreme, but, hey, you've got to do what you've got to do, right?)

Wash Your Hands Often

Everyone knows this, but do you really do it as often as you should? If people around you are sick, then washing your hands before mealtimes is just not enough. The most important thing is to wash your hands before you touch your face, especially your mouth, nose or eyes. If you observe how often you do this, you may be surprised at how many times you need to wash your hands. But do it. Sterilize with Purell or Germ-X if soap and water is not readily available.

Clean & Trim Your Nails

When you wash your hands, make sure you clean under your nails thoroughly. That's a great place for bacteria and viruses to live, so make it inhospitable for them. If you have a nervous habit of biting or chewing on your nails, stop. Now. If you find it hard to stop, then trim your nails so short there's nothing to chew or bite on.

I can't emphasize the importance of this enough. I used to be a nail-biter and found myself falling ill whenever I traveled. (That's when you're introduced to bacteria and viruses your body hasn't developed an immunity to.) After I stopped chewing my nails I found I got sick much less often.

Wear a Mask

This may seem extreme, but it makes sense if you think about it. If you're around people who are coughing and sneezing, they're likely to cough and sneeze on you, even if they don't mean to. If you wear a mask their "spray" won't hit your mouth or nose. You can pick up a pack of 25 surgical masks at the local drug store (I went to Walgreens) for about US$10.

A few days ago my wife and three sons all came down with a cold. I've been wearing a mask around the house ever since. I was so determined not to get sick I wore the mask even when I went shopping.

I took one of my sons with me (a weekly tradition) and pushed him around in a shopping cart as I filled it up. He coughed on me, but I was protected. People gave me strange looks, but I just thought to myself, "I might look weird, but I'm not going to get sick."

It's amazing how many times during the day you can be exposed to sick people. Here's a short list: standing in line at the post office, at the bank, at the check-out counter; sitting in a movie theater; at a party or any get-together, at work. Wear a mask if you can.

Get Enough Sleep

Try and sleep at least eight hours a day, if possible. Your body is better able to fight off infection when you're well-rested. If you can't get enough sleep at night, try napping during the day.

If you're an at-home parent like me, you may get woken up repeatedly at night by a crying infant or three (I have triplets). Take advantage of downtime during the day to catch a wink or two. I did this when my children napped.

Lay Off the Booze

Drinking alcohol can interfere with your sleep, especially if you drink to excess. You may find it's easier to doze off when you're in a drunken stupor, but you'll probably wake up more often during the night and won't sleep as deeply. I tend to wake up earlier the next morning and can't get back to sleep. I certainly don't feel as well rested as I do on a day I abstain.

Singers and public speakers monitor their alcoholic intake closely and often abstain altogether the night before a performance, as alcohol tends to dry out the vocal chords. (This is why you sometimes sound like Darth Vader the morning after a particularly festive occasion.)

Sterilize Your Toothbrush

This may not make sense to you at first, but bear with me. Your toothbrush is a breeding ground for microbes. Think about it. It gets wet every time you brush your teeth and then sits around in your moist bathroom for hours drying out. This is a great environment for bacteria and viruses to thrive.

How does it get exposed to these microbes? When it's in your mouth. Your teeth and tongue are covered with these potentially disease-carrying cells, and after you've scraped them off with your toothbrush they live in the bristles and reproduce.

These viruses and bacteria are usually ones that you've developed an immunity or resistance to. But when you get stressed out or overtired (like during the happy holidays and/or when you travel), your immune system may get compromised. The next time you brush your teeth with your unsterilized toothbrush you're re-introducing these microbes into your body and you may, in your worn-out state, get sick as a result.

The great thing about sterilizing your toothbrush is that it'll also reduce your chances of getting gingivitis and other dental problems that effect the gums. If you use anti-septic mouthwash, you're sterilizing your mouth. Why not sterilize your toothbrush before sticking it in your mouth?

Soak it in alcohol or an antiseptic solution after brushing. (Be sure and rinse it thoroughly before using, however, or it may taste horrible.)

I can't take credit for this idea. A fellow singer came up with it and I've adopted it as part of my stay-well routine. It's worked wonders for me. To read my friend's article on this, please click here.

Sterilize Your Kitchen Sponge

Another breeding ground for microbes is your kitchen sponge. I sterilize it every night by putting it in the microwave for a full minute. That should kill most of the bacteria and viruses.

Don't Use Moist Towels

Is there a towel next to the sink that everyone uses? If it's heavily used you'll find it's probably wet or damp. That's an excellent place for bacteria and viruses to reside. Grab a dry one or, better yet, set aside a towel that only you use. You can't be too careful.

By the way, despite my whole family getting sick, I am still cold-free. I performed my solo today and it went well. Thank you.