The very nature of your job as a mystery shopper has you out and about in the midst of crowds at stores, restaurants, and more during cold and flu season. Many mystery shoppers have found themselves out of commission for days with cold and flu symptoms in previous years, and this means lost income for mystery shoppers. Fortunately, there are a few steps you can take as a mystery shopper to help to keep yourself free of cold and flu germs this season, and this means you can spend more time working and earning money!
A Flu Shot. Everyone seems to have an opinion about flu shots. Some say they don’t work. Others say the flu shots actually have given them the flu. The flu vaccine is designed to work for the strain that is most prevalent that season, but there are other strains going around. So getting a flu vaccine will offer you some protection, but it’s not a foolproof guarantee. Also, if you do end up getting sick shortly after you get the flu shot, it may be because you were already exposed to the illness before your vaccine was able to fully go into effect in your body. Most doctors recommend getting vaccinated in late October or November. If this window has passed, keep in mind that it is better late than never where flu vaccines are concerned.
Washing Hands. One of the simplest ways to prevent illness this season is by washing your hands frequently. This is especially true when you have been out and about working on an assignment. When you walk in the door, just head straight to the sink to wash your hands. If you notice that a sales clerk has a running nose or a cough, wash your hands if you touch them or touch something they just recently touched such as your credit card during the sales transaction. You should wash hands every chance you get while you are in public, for instance when you are in the restroom. You should also wash your hands before you eat, as this is the most common time when you transfer germs from your hands to your mouth.
Hand Sanitizer. There really isn’t a good time to wash your hands in many situations. For instance, fitting rooms are certainly filled with germs, as are door handles on front entryways to stores and restaurants. You can keep a small bottle of hand sanitizer in your purse or pocket, and just take a discreet squirt or spray where needed. Many mystery shoppers have been known to keep a bottle in their car during this time of year, too. This way, you can cleanse your hands as soon as you are done with an assignment.
Unfortunately, there is no foolproof way of not getting sick this cold and flu season. However, following some of these helpful tips will help you to keep many of the germs at bay, which will keep you healthier and working more this season!