Prevent Yourself from Getting a Fall Cold

While it is nearly impossible to escape a cold or flu this time of year, there are measures you can take to try to get around and and keep yourself healthy. While these things are not guaranteed to keep your cold away, they may help keep your symptoms at bay if a cold happens to get in your system. 

• Get Some Exercise
• Not only does staying active help boost your immune system, but it helps keep unnecessary weight off that causes more colds and flu. It has been shown that people with higher BMI and body fat percentage are more likely to get sick during cold and flu season.
• Stay Hydrated
• Staying hydrated has been shown to boot your immune system and better able to fight off cold symptoms. Try ti avoid too much caffeine and drink at least 6-8 cups of water per day.
• Wash your Hands Often
• While this may seem like common sense, it is one of the most important things you can do. It helps keep the germs you get from railings, door knobs, remotes and anything else you touch off of your hands and away from your body.
• Eat Healthy Foods
•  Eating more fruits, vegetables and complex carbohydrates assists in keeping your immune system healthy and fighting off illness when the peak cold and flu season hits. 
• Get Plenty of Sleep
• Getting enough sleep is essential for a healthy immune system and fighting off germs when they appear. Being more well rested will help you get healthy and stay healthy. 
• Keep your Hands Away From your Face and Out of your Mouth
• Many of us have a bad habit of putting our hand near our face more often than not, whether it is playing with our hair, biting our nails or touching our face. This can be detrimental during cold and flu season due to an increased risk of getting germs inside of your body.
• Get a Flu Vaccine
• While the flu vaccine cannot fully protect everyone, it has been shown that it can decrease your chances of coming down with it anywhere from 70-90 percent. Head to your doctor early to get the vaccine so you are protected throughout the whole flu season which can last from October to May, with its peak being in January and February.