When winter rolls around, it usually means colds and flu season has begun.  Being sick can really put a damper on your day.  It’s not possible to avoid every germ that comes your way, but by taking a few simple steps, you can surely experience fewer illnesses this season.

1. One of the easiest natural preventative steps is to simply wash your hands!  Germs can be passed around from hand to hand, which is what causes us to become sick in the first place, but when you wash your hands with hot soap and water, you are eliminating those germs, which is going to keep you from getting sick.  Who would have thought that washing your hands would save you a world of pain!

2. Hands Off! Try to keep your hands away from your face to avoid inadvertently spreading germs to your nose, eyes, and mouth.

3. Drink up- water that is.  Water is so nourishing and refreshing to your body.  It also helps the body flush out impurities and pathogens that can cause illnesses.

4. Cut down on smoking and alcohol consumption.  People who smoke are more likely to get sick over people who do not smoke.  So if you are a smoker, it might be wise to simply kick the habit or at least cut the habit down to a minimum.  Similarly, drinking dampens your immune system and causes dehydration.  Keep drinks down to a minimum, especially during cold and flu season, to ensure your immune system is strong enough to ward off illnesses.

5. Get enough rest.  Not getting enough rest lowers your ability to fight germs.  Get at least 8 hours of sleep each night to keep your immune system in top fighting shape.

Take advantage of these natural ways to stay healthy this cold and flu season!