A healthy office space is no small affair. More than likely you have seen just how quickly a flu or cold can make its way through an office or common workspace. If you want to test out your immune system, just wait for the cold or flu season to hit your office. You will quickly learn just how strong, or weak, your immune system happens to be.

Luckily, there are smart preventative moves that can help keep you from being another flu season statistic the next time the cold and flu season hits. Let’s review five important steps you can take at the office to avoid getting sick this year.

Five Ways to Stay Healthy at Work

1. Wash your hands!

Now this first point may seem a bit too easy, but the simple fact is that repeated hand washing does work to keep the spread of germs down. Washing your hands very frequently and trying to refrain from touching your eyes and noise while at work, especially when a cold or flu is “going around” is an easy and smart way to stay healthy.

2. Hand sanitizer.

Using hand sanitizer when you cannot wash your hands is, of course, a great idea. This is especially important after shaking hands with people, using other people’s keyboards and mice or handling doorknobs and handles. While this may seem excessive, ask yourself, “How much can I afford to get sick?”

3. Clean your keyboard and mouse.

Many people go through their workday and never consider just how dirty your keyboard and mouse might be. If you are using a communal keyboard or people frequently visit your workstation or office, then your problem may be amplified. Try cleaning your keyboard and mouse with a wet wipe, an alcohol soaked paper towel or a small alcohol spray bottle. Remembering to do this every couple of days will dramatically improve your chances of catching “this year’s bug.” Believe it or not, some people work in an office for years and never even consider cleaning their computer chair. It only makes sense to give your office chair a good wipe down every now and then.

4. Invest in an air purifier.

Air purifiers have come a long way in the last few years and can now remove all sorts of airborne germs. If you have your own office this is a very smart move. If you are working in a communal space, consider investing in a quite running air purifier.

5. Windows

If you are able to open up windows then by all means you should! Getting fresh air in and letting old air out is a very smart and very easy move!