Cold and Flu Preventions
Nipping a cold in the bud is the best ‘medicine’ for a cold or flu since there is no known cure. The number one way that will reduce your chance of catching the flu is by getting the flu shot. You’re not guaranteed not to catch the flu, but it definitely significantly reduces the risk. You’re right that it is not the natural way to do it, however it works best.
There are other steps you can take. Here are some suggestions for you to take a ‘shot’ at. Don’t worry; they are all pain-free. 
#1- Naturally, we tend to cover our mouth with our hands when we cough and/or sneeze. That’s definitely the polite thing to do. However, without realizing it, we touch keyboards, doors, phones and countless other objects with the hand that was the recipient of thousands of germs. Germs have a very long life span and are easily picked up by the next person whose hand touches that same object. If you find yourself in a position where you have no access to running water, then what you can do is either use hand sanitizer or rub your hands together as strongly as possible for about a minute, which helps break up the germs. Ideally, you should cough and/or sneeze into the crook of your elbow.
#2- If you have enough time from when you feel the need to cough and/or sneeze and the actual action, take the time to grab a tissue, and then throw it into the garbage can at once.
#3- Never sneeze directly onto the people around you. Always turn your head away.
#4- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth since these are the areas through which the common cold and flu virus enter your body.
#5- Keep your body hydrated by drinking eight cups of fluids on a daily basis. The fluids flush out and rehydrate your system simultaneously.
#6- Fresh air is crucial, especially in the winter - when we spend most of our time indoors and are subject to artificial heating, which dries you out and allows your body to catch a virus much easier.
#7- Studies show that the bacteria found in low-fat yogurt can reduce your chance of catching colds by as much as 25%.
#8- Both first and second hand-smokers tend to get cold and viruses more often since the smoke paralyzes the cilia (nasal hair) which serve as germ filters. Another great reason to quit smoking.
#9- Relaxation is the way to go. When you relax, your immune system kicks in and builds itself up. Next time you’re caught relaxing smack in the middle of a hectic day, remind those around you that your body is hard at work- getting ready to fight those nasty, uninvited and unwanted cold germs and flu viruses.
Watch out germs - here we come, all armed and ready to wage war!
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Happy New Years!! To my favorite blog, hopefully no tactical body armor is required with all those knuckle heads firing their automatic weapons into the air.