Six Tips To Keep Sniffle-Free This Cold & Flu Season

Americans will get up to one billions colds and over 50 million cases of the flu this year. But you may be able to avoid getting even one sniffle with these doctor-tested tips that can be found in the January 21, issue of Womans World.

1. Take A Walk. "Moderate exercise like walking for 30 minutes a day can help prevent colds," says Cornelia Ulrich, Ph.D. Researchers think exercise boosts your immune system by flushing bacteria out of your lungs and sending antibodies through your system more quickly.
2. Give Your Toothbrush A Smart Rinse. Soak it for a minute in Listerine or another antiseptic mouthwash daily. It'll kill any germs left on your brush from sitting out or cleaning your mouth. No mouthwash? Rinse brushes in hydrogen peroxide, another proven germ-killer.
3. Skip The Hot Water. You may think it gives you more germ-killing power when you wash your hands, but hot water dries out hands--leaving them cracked so more viruses can enter through the skin. Instead, use lukewarm water, and soap up twice to remove germs.
4. Watch For This Germ-Spreader: Doorknobs, especially in public places, where lots of germy hands touch them. To be safe, open doors with a paper towel, or use a hand sanitizer immediately after contact. At home, you can sanitize doorknobs and any other shared items.
5. Eat The Proven Germ-Fighting Foods. Antioxidant-rich foods boost your immune system and help improve lung function, so you're less susceptible to germs," says Dr. Norman H. Edeiman, of The American Lung Association. Try vitamin-C-rich citrus fruits like oranges, or salad greens like arugula, which have anti-viral properties.
6. Go Easy On Yourself! Studies show that folks who put too much pressure on themselves get more colds than those who don't! The reason: Stress can lower your immune system, making you an easy target for germs!

And if you do come down with something, be sure to reach for the Zinc at the first sign of sniffles. Studies show that it can shorten the duration of a cold by almost 50%!