Save Your Sick Days

Now that your house is germ-free, clean up the danger zones at work
By Abby Lerner

It would be nice if your house was the only place you had to worry about microscopic germs lurking, but the truth is, your office is swarming with just as many (if not more) cold-causing microbes eager to challenge your immune system.

A study from the University of Arizona found that your office desk harbors far more bacteria than your building’s bathroom. The bright side? Your workspace likely has three to four times less bacteria than a female coworker’s, according to researchers. Women’s desks may look cleaner, but the knickknacks are more abundant, and makeup and lotions make perfect germ crash pads.

But you’re not off the hook. The worst office offender of all is a man’s wallet—your warm back pocket is the perfect spot for bacteria to incubate. And so are the five workplace germ zones below, pointed out by Charles Gerba, Ph.D., a microbiologist at the University of Arizona and nationally known expert on household microbes and intestinal diseases.

The Phone: “The phone is typically the dirtiest piece of equipment in an office because it goes straight to your mouth, and you never clean or disinfect it,” Dr. Gerba says. Keep antibacterial wipes in your office and swipe the phone—earpiece, mouthpiece, buttons, etc.—every Monday morning. Unlike disinfecting sprays, the wipes won’t damage electronics.

The Desktop: “People don’t clean their desk until they stick to it,” Dr. Gerba says. And that’s not enough to ward off sickness. Wipe down your desk with the same kind of disinfecting wipe you use on your phone at least once a week. And resist the urge to eat at your desk if possible—it’s an invitation for bacteria to grow.

The Keyboard and Mouse: Most office-cleaning companies don’t touch computers or keyboards out of fear they’ll delete important files. The two-step sterilization process is left up to you. First, flip your keyboard over and give it a good shake over a trashcan—there are likely bits of food lodged between the keys. Then rub an alcohol-based sanitizer or disinfecting wipe (see how handy they are?) over the keys.

The Water Fountain Handle: “Not only is it wet, but people who get a cold, the flu, or diarrhea tend to drink more water,” Dr. Gerba says. Need we say more? You don’t have to cart sanitizing wipes to the water fountain, but always wash your hands with soap after using it, or rub on a hand sanitizer to lessen the blow.

The “Enter” Button (on the Fax Machine, the Photocopier, Etc.): There’s nothing shocking about this one. Consider all the buttons you—and numerous other people—touch every single day: "Send" on the fax machine, "3" in the elevator, the incline button on the treadmill. Buy a 3-pack of hand sanitizer and keep one at your desk, one in your car, and the third in your gym bag. Studies on the stuff have found they successfully reduce illness by 30 to 50 percent, according to Dr. Gerba.

Common Skin Problems

Common Skin Problems and Solutions

By Abby Lerner

Dark Under-Eye Circles

The skin under your eyes isn't as forgiving as your abs, so late night gym-sessions during the week may show up as dark circles on your face. Mom and dad are mostly liable for this inherited trait, but a lack of sleep and poor diet only make it worse.

Since your packed schedule isn't going to suddenly change, diminish dark circles by eating more nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables, drinking water, and tagging along to your wife or girlfriend's yoga class—it'll not only reduce dark circles, but also increase overall skin health. If you're really open to anything, place a couple thin, cool slices of cucumber over your tired lids. No one will ever know.

Wrinkles

Wrinkles may conjur the image of your sweet, elderly grandmother, but the fact is, they happen to everyone. It's part of getting older—skin gets thinner, drier, and less elastic.

Since you can't turn back the hands of time, protect your skin from further damage. Number one priority: ban cigarettes. Even if you've smoked for years, quitting now will prevent future wrinkles. Protect your skin from the sun by wearing hats and sunscreen, even in winter. And rub on a moisturizer every night before bed. Dry skin turns plump skin cells into shriveled ones, creating lines and wrinkles.

"Once a wrinkle is there, it's like a crease in a piece of paper—it's not ever going to completely go away," Dr. Carezani-Gavin said. "It's extremely important for men in their 20s and 30s to take good care of their skin now to prevent the onset of wrinkles."

Acne

Contrary to what most guys think, pimples don't stop popping up when your voice finishes changing. Raging hormones were responsible in your teen years, but other factors such as humidity, stress, heavy sweating, or the use of steroids cause the irritating red bumps now.

Even if you're the figure of perfect personal hygiene and diet, you'll still see flare-ups. In fact, washing your face too much can cause acne to get worse.

If your acne is bad enough to rattle your confidence, see a primary care physician. "Acne truly is a medical condition that requires medical treatment," Dr. Carezani-Gavin said. "A primary care physician can also help identify the cause of even occasional flare-ups and advise accordingly."

Not a fan of lab coats? Pick up a 5 percent, over-the-counter, benzoyl-peroxide skin wash from your local drug store, and use it twice a day. "A lot of patients do wonderfully just with that," Dr. Carezani-Gavin said.

Feed Your Skin

The 9 best foods to keep your skin looking and feeling great
By Abby Lerner

1. Carrots
This crunchy snack is loaded with vitamin A, which helps balance the pH of your skin's surface, making it just acidic enough to fend off harmful bacteria. Plus National Cancer Institute researchers found that people with the highest intakes of carotenoids—pigments that occur naturally in carrots—were six times less likely to develop skin cancer than those with the lower intakes.

2. Berries
The high-antioxidant content of blackberries, blueberries, and strawberries yield countless healthy-skin benefits. Not a fan of fleshy fruit? Artichokes, beans, prunes, and pecans are packed with the stuff as well.


3. Salmon, Walnuts, and Flax Seed
The common healthy-skin ingredients in these foods are essential fatty acids, which not only block harmful irritants, but also act as the passageway for nutrients coming in and out and for waste products to get in and out of the cell. The stronger that barrier is, the better your skin cells hold moisture.


4. Healthy Oils
Good-quality oils—those labeled cold pressed, expeller processed, or extra virgin—keep skin lubricated and looking and feeling healthier. But remember even healthy fat is high in calories, so limit yourself to two tablespoons a day.


5. Whole-wheat bread, Muffins, and Cereals; Turkey, Tuna, and Brazil Nuts
It may seem like a random grocery list, but all of these foods are rich in the mineral selenium, which plays a key role in the health of skin cells. In fact, studies show that even skin damaged by the sun may suffer fewer consequences if selenium levels are high.
6. Low-Fat Dairy Products
Vitamin A is one of the most important components of skin health, and low-fat dairy products such as milk and yogurt are a great place to get it.
7. Green Tea
The skin-health assets in this drink are matchless. It has anti-inflammatory properties, protects the cell membrane, and may even reduce the risk of some cancers. An added bonus: Sipping on this super drink can also boost metabolism.
8. Sunflower Seeds
These tiny seeds pack the most natural vitamin E of any food around. And no antioxidant is better at slowing down the aging of skin cells to keep you looking younger longer.
9. Water
Good hydration is key to healthy looking skin, and there's nothing better than pure, clean water to quench your body's thirst—except maybe mineral-rich hard water from the tap.