So now the question is how to avoid and diminish your exposure to influenza and cold "germs".

Okay first the simple, no-brainer tips - 

1. Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly. A quick rinse will not do the trick. Wash with warm water and soap for about 15 to 30 seconds - about as long as it takes to hum a verse of "Yankee Doodle Dandy".  Don't just wash the palms of the hands, make certain you wash all around the backs of the hands as well too. 

2. Keep your hands away from your face to reduce the chance of delivering viruses directly to your eyes, nose and mouth. This may be harder than you think, one study found that people typically touched their face fifteen times in an hour. 

3. Avoid contact with sick people AND by the same token, if you are the one who is sick - stay home from work, school or social activities until you are well.  This is how most epidemics spread. Simply staying home and taking care of yourself at the first sign of a cold or flu is the best thing you can do for a speedy recovery or even possibly heading it off at the pass.  

One particularly helpful homeopathic for heading off cold or flu is Aconite. Aconite 30c is an excellent remedy for sudden illness, aches, colds, coughs, sore throat, flu, chills and fever. Keep Aconite on hand for quick recovery after becoming ill following exposure to weather changes, such as very cold or very hot weather, exposure to dry winds or inclement weather. Other symptoms that Aconite can help include sneezing, croupy cough, and red, swollen, sore throat.

Another great way to get the "jump" on the flu is to take the homeopathic remedy "Oscillococcinum".  This homeopathic is typically prescribed to take at the sign of flu or cold, however, I recommend getting a 6 dose box and taking one dose at the beginning of each week for six weeks. This helps to build your immune system against all types of flu strains. 

Facts about Oscillococcinum: It has a long history of efficacy and safety.  Four clinical studies, including two which have been published in peer-reviewed journals, show that Oscillo reduces the severity and duration of flu-like symptoms such as feeling run down, headache, body aches, chills and fever. 

4. Get a Good Night's Sleep. Lack of sleep may profoundly inhibit your immune system. For some of you this may be a regular nightly struggle - falling asleep and/or staying asleep.  Relaxed breathing before bedtime can do wonders to help relax and de-stress your body.  Magnesium is a great muscle relaxer and stress buster. The product Calm is wonderful for de-stressing your system. Melatonin can often help with getting a good night's sleep. And if it is a habitual problem I would recommend Neurotransmitter testing and then therapeutic supplementation to help bring balance back to the body and brain. 

5. Stay Hydrated. Increasing your water intake will help you stay healthy and lessen the chance of you coming down with the flu. When you are feeling under the weather, drinking extra fluids prevents dehydration caused by fever, loosens mucus, and keeps your throat moist. Warm liquids are preferable - try green tea. It is a great antioxidant. 

6. Exercise regularly. Regular exercise lowers stress which in turn lowers cortisol levels.  But exercise can also stimulate your immune system and promote healthy sleep. In a recent study reported in Medicine and Science in Sorts and Exercise, scientists found that modest exercise may prevent the elderly form getting colds and flu. So bundle up appropriately and go out for a nice walk in that brisk fall air. 

7. Listen to Your Body.  As I already stated in #3 - If you do come down with a cold or flu, take it easy. Even attempting to perform normal activities at work or school may be too much. Besides, if you believe you're coming down with flu,  the best thing you can do for friends and family is to not expose them unnecessarily to the virus.

Stay tuned for tomorrow's tips - The Best Offense is a Good Defense!