How to Avoid the Flu and Common Colds This Winter

It seems like more people get sick during the fall and winter months. This is also the holiday season so getting sick just seems even more inconvenient as you want to spend time with family and friends.

So how do you avoid getting sick? The most important thing is a healthy body and immune system. Eating well balanced meals and making sure you are getting adequate amounts of vitamins and other essential nutrients is vital. If you are someone who doesn't have time to prepare nutritional meals consider taking a complete multi-vitamin each day to assure you are getting what your body needs to stay healthy. Extra amounts of vitamin C are also important, especially if you are under stress or feel sickness coming on. Getting enough rest each night also contributes to your body's overall health and is necessary to keep your immune system functioning at the highest level. Regular exercise is also helpful and will keep you feeling better. Avoid stress when possible, don't drink a lot of alcohol or smoke, and stay away from dangerous situations. If you are able to get outside and breathe in some fresh air daily, this will contribute to your body's health and make you feel better overall.

Even the healthiest people end up exposed to sickness. Germs are everywhere and cannot be avoided. Good hand washing is essential to keeping yourself healthy. Wash your hands as much as possible, before eating, after eating, before and after using the bathroom, after contact with pets, messes, and even more often when you are around someone who is sick.

Try to avoid contact with people when you are sick, and of course if you know someone else is sick it's better to keep your distance. Staying home is not always possible but try to think of other's when you are out and about and have a contagious illness. Cough far away from others, into your own hands and wash up afterwards. Also teach your children proper "cough etiquette" as well.