by Cathy Perrins

Created on: September 11, 2008   Last Updated: September 17, 2008

Fall is here and with it comes an increased chance you may get a cold or flu. Have you ever noticed it is during the colder months you are more at risk of getting colds and flus? I can't tell you any particular scientific reasons why that seems so, however, if you get up in the morning and wander around on cold floors with bare feet you may notice that you get a runny nose. (And if your feet smell while your nose runs, you are obviously upside down! ((Big Smile!)) Sorry, couldn't resist.) By extrapolating from this example, one way to keep from getting colds and flus is to dress warmly even while inside. If you can't afford to heat up your house to balmy temperatures this winter and who can these days - use an extra blanket at night or better yet, get an electric blanket. Wear a night cap while sleeping to keep your head warm since you can lose a lot of body warmth from having an uncovered head. Wear socks to bed, too, to keep your feet warm. Find some lovely fuzzy slippers and put them on as soon as you get out of bed. Whenever going outside wear a warm coat, hat, scarf and gloves. Just because you are making a quick dash out to the mailbox, it doesn't mean you won't get chilled. Is it worth risking a cold or flu to save the small amount of time putting a warm coat on takes? Keeping warm will do a lot to fight off colds and flu.

Eat healthy foods and warm healthy foods at that. Soups and stews are good for cold winter days and help keep you warm. Making soup "from scratch" is incredibly easy and much tastier than that stuff from a can. If you can't think of anyone to ask how to make a great soup, check out a few library books or look online for recipes. You will be amazed at how easy and flavorful home made soup is and you can also make a big batch of it and then save some for later when you don't feel like cooking.

If you feel a scratchy throat coming on have a cup of something hot right away. Hot tea laced with honey or even just hot honey will do a lot to soothe an oncoming sore throat. Suck on a zinc lozenge and then get a lot of vitamin C. There are little packets of vitamin C called "Emergen-C" which are a good anti-cold and flu preventative. They are little packets of powder which make an interesting fizzy drink that even tastes pretty good.

To keep from getting a scratchy throat in the first place, don't touch your nose or face unless you've washed your hands first. Wash your hands several times a day during cold and flu season. Keeping the germs away is a lot easier than clearing up a cold or flu afterwards.

Sometimes a nice long hot bath will fix an incipient cold. Help your body get warm so it can use all of it's resources fighting the germs. Plus, even if it doesn't knock the cold out, long hot baths are always nice anyway. Lovely scented candles, a bit of bubble bath, a book and that cup of hot tea with honey should at least put a dent in any cold or flu that is trying to grab onto you.

Getting enough sleep and fluids are also very important during flu season. A well rested and happy person is much less likely to get a cold or flu. Get to bed at least an extra half hour early during winter time, and have your snug nest all cozy and warm. A warm cup of herbal tea and a nice calming time before sleeping will help fight off colds and flu as well as energize you for the next day. You may enjoy it so much that even after flu season is past, you will still pamper yourself with an early bedtime and a warm cozy bed. Stay warm, eat well, stay healthy.

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