“Natural” Ways to Avoid the Flu This Season

The flu season normally runs from December to March, and one of the best ways to prevent the flu is by getting a flu shot.

get a vaccination?Wash your hands - Wash your hands often, or use an instant hand sanitizer. If you are unable to wash your hands, rub them together very hard for a minute or so. This helps break up most of the germs.Don't touch your face - Viruses enter the body through the eyes, nose or mouth.Drink plenty of fluids, especially water - Water flushes your system, getting rid of the poisons as it re-hydrates you.

Typically, adults need 64 ounces of fluid each day - not counting caffeinated or alcoholic beverages.Get fresh air - Regular doses of fresh air are important. Central heating dries you out, making your body more vulnerable to viruses. Also, in cold weather, people spend more time indoors, which means more germs are circulating in crowded dry rooms.

Get regular aerobic exercise - Aerobic exercise speeds up the heart to pump larger amounts of blood, makes you breathe faster, helps transfer oxygen from your lungs to your blood, and makes you sweat once your body heats up. This helps increase the body's natural virus-killing cells.Eat yogurt - Some studies show that eating a daily cup of low-fat yogurt can reduce your susceptibility to colds by 25%.

Researchers think the beneficial bacteria in yogurt may stimulate production of immune system substances that fight disease.Relax! - If you can teach yourself to relax, you can activate your immune system on demand. Evidence shows that when you put your relaxation skills to use, your interleukins - leaders in the immune system's response against viruses - increase in the bloodstream.