How to Not Get Sick as a Teacher: 10 Tricks to Avoid Getting Sick This School Year

Being sick as a teacher is the worst!  You either teach through your misery or spend hours working on sub plans.  Today, I’m offering ten (mostly) simple tricks to help you avoid getting sick, even in a classroom full of coughing students.

During my first few years of teaching, I was sick all the time!  My second year was even worse. Sinus infection, strep throat, bronchitis, stomach bug – you name it, I had it! I dreaded calling in for a sub, so I mostly just taught sick. It was a nightmare.

Over the years, I’ve discovered a collection of simple tricks that somehow manage to keep me healthy, even around sneezy, germy, and sniffly little children.  Of course, before we get started, let me just state:

I AM NOT A DOCTOR. I have no medical training of any kind.  I’m simply a teacher sharing the strategies that work for me in hopes that other teachers might avoid getting sick all the time, too.

How to Not Get Sick as a Teacher

Below you’ll find the ten things that helped me go from getting sick multiple times a school year to getting sick almost NEVER! I don’t think it takes all ten, but all ten have definitely made a difference for me over the years.

NOTE: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through the link. I only share products that I truly believe in and trust!

#1: Wondrous Water

I know we’ve all heard about the importance of drinking more water.  But I have experienced the magic of staying hydrated firsthand!  My first few years, I didn’t drink much during the day because I didn’t have opportunities to go to the restroom very often.  After being sick more than I was healthy, I decided that sneaking out for potty breaks was better than being home sick!

Now, I fill up a big ole Stanley Cup in the morning and make sure it’s empty by the end of the day. If you’re not into plain water, or you just want to boost the health benefits, I highly recommend trying out Ultima Replinisher Drink Mix! They have multiple flavors, clean ingredients, and boost electrolytes without added sugar.

#2: Hourly Hand Spa

We all know the importance of washing your hands.  But when you have 22 children in the room and only brief breaks throughout the day, it’s easy to forget or to fall back on using a quick squirt of hand sanitizer, which is exactly what I did the year I was sick 6 times!  Hand sanitizer just isn’t as effective as a good soap and scrub!

Here’s what worked for me.  First, I bought some really NICE hand soap that was just for the teacher.  I kept it on a shelf above the sink in our classroom and put a nice bottle of lotion next to it.  It was like a mini hand spa!

Next, I made washing my hands a routine throughout the day.  It changes every year depending on my schedule, but it is generally something simple like washing my hands: every time I use the restroom, when the kids line up for Specials, before I eat lunch, and right after dismissal.

My favorite handsoap is the J.R. Watkins Foaming in Lemon. It smells amazing and doesn’t dry out my hands like many soaps. If you’re prone to dry hands, all that washing can be drying so have a good lotion ready-to-go. I adore Eucerin Advanced Repair Hand Cream.

#3: Nip the Nails

Okay, I realize that for some this one is a big deal, BUT based on my non-scientific experimentation, it does make a difference! When my nails are kept short, I rarely get sick.  My only explanation is that it keeps germs from hiding under my nails and it keeps me from biting them!  So if you can stand it, I highly recommend keeping your nails shorter throughout cold and flu season.  If you can’t stand it, make sure that you at least scrub up underneath your nails every time you wash your hands!

#4: Probiotic Power

Probiotics changed my life!  I started taking these tiny little Probiotic Pearls years ago and found that not only did they rid me of all kinds of stomach issues and discomfort, but they seemed to give my immune system a huge BOOST!  Again, I am not a doctor.  I highly encourage you to do your research or talk to your doctor before adding any type of supplement to your diet.  All that being said, I am definitely a believer!  My favorite probiotic, after trying a few over the years, is Nature’s Way Probiotic Pearls.

#5: My Magic Green Smoothie

Every morning, I make a weird green smoothie that tastes delicious, looks disgusting, and seems to do wonders for my immune system. I’m going to share the recipe here. You’re going to think it sounds terrible. But my husband and son can both testify that it tastes like a yummy chocolate milkshake! (They don’t even realize what’s in it!!)

The key to making this nutrient-dense concoction taste amazing is using FROZEN fruits and veggies. At the beginning of the month, I chop up a bunch of ripe bananas into big chunks, freeze, and store, then I chop up a head of cauliflower into florets (I know it’s weird but stay with me!), freeze, and store, and I blend a bunch of organic kale into liquid and freeze it into ice cubes. I also buy frozen wild blueberries. Regular blueberries would do, but the wild ones are smaller and sweeter in my opinion.

To make the smoothie, I use my Nutribullet blender. This is the exact Nutribullet I love and use every single day! This model comes with small and large cups, plus handled cups and a grinder attachment. There are many Nutribullet options, but this one is my favorite!

Magic Green Smoothie (That Tastes Like a Chocolate Milkshake!)

• Frozen ripe banana chunks (about half a banana)
• 1 kale ice cube
• 1-2 (frozen) cauliflower florets (trust me! it works!)
• a handful of frozen wild blueberries
• 2-3 HEAPING tablespoons of natural nut butter (I prefer almond or peanut butter)
• 2-3 heaping tablespoons of cacao or cocoa powder (my fave is this one from Terrasoul)
• Add milk of your choice to fill line on cup (or cover the ingredients)
• Sweetener of your choice (I love this liquid stevia from Better Stevia)

That’s it! Now blend away and you’ve got a chocolate milkshake packed with immune-boosting goodies to start your day! I sometimes add other goodies like collagen powder, cold-brew coffee for a caffeine boost, or even mushroom powder.

I’d love to hear if anyone is brave enough to try it!

#6: Tame Your Allergies

Seasonal allergies aren’t just an annoyance that gives you itchy eyes and a stuffy nose. All that congestion just makes it easier for you to pick up germs and get sick!

Years ago, I went to an Ear, Nose, and Throat Specialist to get help with my seasonal runny nose, cough, and congestion. He explained that my sinuses were inflamed due to allergies, which in turn made it harder for my sinuses to function efficiently. Instead of germs being swept out properly, they were trapped!

For me, I just had to find the right daily antihistamine to get things under control, but everyone is different. There are so many options now and it’s worth finding the one that works for you.

#7: Skip the Sugar

Ugh. This is a hard one for me. When I’m feeling stressed or sick, I go straight for comfort foods like starches and sugars.  Donuts?  Yes, please!  Unfortunately, this is the absolute WORST thing to do. I’ve noticed that when I eat a lot of sugar and processed foods, my allergies flare up.  It turns out that sugar and junk food lead to inflammation in the body which in turn weakens the immune system!

When you’re feeling stressed, worn down, or on the verge of getting sick, this is THE MOST IMPORTANT TIME to eat healthy.  Force yourself to eat fresh meals of protein, veggies, and healthy fats. It makes such a big difference!

#8: The Daily Wipe Down

This one is easy! During cold and flu season, I create an end-of-day routine in my classroom where a few helpers go around the room with pre-moistened cleaning cloths and wipe down EVERYTHING! They wipe down desks, door handles, the classroom sink, iPads, headphones, table tops, and other shared furniture and supplies. They love it and it helps keep the classroom fresh and clean!  My favorite are these Seventh Generation wipes, but you can also ask for donations from parents!

#9: Tiny Positives

This one is more of a mindset thing, but I’ve noticed that right before I get sick, I’m almost always feeling stressed and overwhelmed with work or life.  I don’t know if my body is fighting an illness, which leads me to feel stressed and overwhelmed, or if being stressed causes me to get sick. Either way, one thing that helps me is to focus on tiny positives. When I’m feeling rough already, it’s too hard to focus on big stuff so I search for little things to look forward to throughout the day.

For example, I might decide I’ll make myself an awesome coffee with my favorite creamer when the kids go to Specials that morning. I’ll pack a favorite (healthy) meal for lunch. I’ll plan to watch a favorite show after work. It doesn’t matter what you choose, just that you plan some simple things that you can look forward to throughout the day.

I have no proof, except my own experience, that this helps keep you from getting sick…  but it works for me so maybe it could work for you, too!

#10: Lighten, Brighten, Breathe

This one will be a little too “out-there” for some but it made a huge difference for me!  After getting sick over and over, I began to notice how I felt right before I ended up getting sick.  It was always the same! I’d get this feeling of being run down, almost like the emotional weight of all that stress was becoming physical. It was like something was literally dragging me down!

So one day, when I knew I was on the verge of getting sick yet again, I started to think about the opposite of that dragged-down feeling.  I imagined myself feeling lighter and lifted.  I imagined myself full of bright, warm light. I kept returning to this feeling throughout the day, paired with some nice deep breaths.  By the end of the day, I felt better!  My aches and sore throat went away.  Could this be a coincidence? Of course! But I do this now whenever I notice that icky feeling setting in and it honestly seems to help.

That’s it!  You now know my ten favorite tricks for not getting sick even when you’re spending every day in a cesspool of germs.

I wish you all a happy and healthy school year!  And I’d love to hear your tricks for staying healthy.

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