Using Habits Developed During COVID-19 to Stay Healthy at Work

Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have all learned a tremendous amount about protecting ourselves and staying healthy. As remote workers return to the office, it’s important to continue taking safety measures and creating long-term habits to protect yourself and your coworkers. Here are four tips to help you stay safe.

• If you are sick, stay home and wear a mask. Not only did wearing masks help prevent the spread of COVID-19, but also, according to the New York Times, we had the lowest number of flu infections in history. If you feel symptoms of illness, it’s essential to stay home or, if you have to go out, wear your mask. You are less likely to pass your sickness onto someone else, especially in crowded indoor spaces like elevators, conference rooms and cubicle spaces.
• Wash your hands and use hand sanitizer frequently. Germs are everywhere and they can easily infect us when we touch our face or mouth. Cleaning your hands at key times with soap and water or hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol is one of the most important steps you can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to those around you. Soap and water are more effective, but when you are on the go hand sanitizer will do the trick!
• Keep your space clean. It’s important to stick to your cleaning routine. Consider the types of surfaces you have and how often you or others touch them in your workspace. For high-touch surfaces, such as the desk, chair arms and doorknobs consider cleaning and disinfecting once a day. Don’t forget to get the right cleaners for your electronics such as tablets, cell phones, computer mouse and keyboard, too.
• Be upfront with your questions and concerns. If going back to the office and being in public settings makes you uncomfortable, don’t push yourself. Concern about returning to work can lead to stress that affects your motivation, productivity, and overall mental health. It’s important to be upfront with your supervisors to ensure safety procedures are in place and adhered to when going back to the office.

We hope these tips can help you and the people around you stay safe and healthy when returning to the office.