Presenteeism is a common condition that plague today’s workforce.
The feeling of being irreplaceable at work, and the subsequent guilt that follows, are some of the factors that force employees to appear even when they are on MC. When sick employees insist on being physically present, they turn the office into an active workplace epidemic for everyone else. One sneeze can trigger the whole department into blowing their noses, and one mistaken cup can pass around a viral bug that could last for weeks.
Personal reasons aside, there are times where it is not as easy as simply requesting for medical leave. There might be a crucial presentation, a last minute proposal, or even a meeting with a big client. When it comes to responsibilities that rely solely on the affected individual, he/she must adapt to today’s working expectations. While the best solution will ultimately lie in having proper medication and rest, adjustments will always have to be made.
In order to counter last minute illnesses or defer said symptoms for a couple of hours (until the meeting is over), here are some easy and effective workplace remedies.
Mix Coca-Cola With Salt
The fastest bug going around today belongs to the flu family, and under it comes a myriad of symptoms: sudden itchy throat, stomach blockage, and phlegm production. These can seriously hinder work productivity, especially if talking plays a big part.
One quick and cheap hack is to get a can of Coca-Cola and mix it with salt. If there is a McDonalds nearby, purchase a cup of Coca-Cola and make use of their free salt packets. Attempt to finish as much of this sweet & salty concoction as possible.
Coca-Cola works particularly well for bacterial-causing issues because of the soft drink’s acidity. The mixture of both carbonic and phosphoric acid allows it to have medicinal properties. It started out as a patent medicine back in the late 19th century.
2 Pills A Day Keeps The Doctor Away
Move aside, Panadol. Other than the usual OTC pills that treat everyday maladies, consider purchasing active charcoal tablets and Vitamin C pills — the orange ones that dissolve in water. The first is proven to be highly effective when combating situations of food poisoning or stomach bugs. Charcoal is able to absorb the toxic components, and temporarily stop the pain and runs. The only downside is that it needs to be taken frequency in relatively high amounts for it to work, around 500mg (2 to 3 tablets) every hour for adults.
As for Vitamin C pills, they act as a prevention measure for the rest of the company when someone gets sick. The moment a sneeze cuts through the air, consider these pills to ensure that the daily vitamin intake is sufficient enough to boost a healthier immune system. As the adage goes, prevention is always better than cure.
Go Into The Darkness
Have a headache? A quick solution to migraine relief is to find a dark corner and stay still in the darkness for awhile. Try to shut out as many of the light sources contributing to the environment and let the darkness soothe the headache away. If this is physically impossible, eye masks are also a quick cheat for one to experience total darkness in the office.
While it may sound a little unorthodox, light plays a big part in triggering or contributing to migraines. Brightness can be especially painful when the body becomes sensitive, and there is nothing worse for a headache than a direct glare of sunlight. This is also a healthier alternative to migraine medicine!