Stop Getting Sick! Easy Ways to Stay Well All Season

My modus operandi when it comes to avoiding illness? I wash my hands
whenever I get to my destination (the office, restaurant or home) and
eat plenty of citrus and antioxidants in berries, oranges, salads and
more. I also like to tell coworkers, "If you're sick, stay home!" and
I'm not above rescheduling a meeting with an especially sneezy editor. So
far, my methods are working—I caught a cold earlier this season, but it
was the first time in years. If you hate getting sick as much as I do,
try these strategies for a healthier winter.

Be a frequent hand washer
Your
mitts transmit infections, particularly cold and flu, more effectively
than any other part of your body, according to doctors. That's reason
to hit the sink soon after you arrive at work and home, as well as
after any event that involves a lot of handshaking (meetings) or
high-fives (the soccer game). Keep your hands away from your face until
you've gotten to a faucet—and even then, refrain from touching your
mouth, eyes and nose. Learn when you do—and don't—need to worry about germs. Don't forget your hat!
Mom
was right when she urged you to bundle up. While you can't catch a cold
purely from being outside in cold weather, feeling chilly may lower
your immunity, says Ronald Eccles, Ph.D., director of the Common Cold
Centre at Cardiff University in Wales. Volunteers who submerged their
feet in icy water were 20 percent likelier to come down with a sore
throat and runny nose than those who kept their dogs warm. If you live
in a cold part of the country, buy the warmest winter coat you can find
(I just got a purple puffy I'm wild about) and keep your gloves in your
pocket, and hat and scarf in your sleeve, so you're ready to go on
morning dog walks no matter how low the temps dip. Get tips for staying warm in style. Carry your own pen
Signing
that dinner bill or store receipt could come at a high cost if you use
the provided pen—it's loaded with germs and bacteria, says Neil
Schachter, M.D., professor of pulmonary medicine at Mount Sinai School
of Medicine in New York City. Keep a ballpoint in your bag. Do the
write thing in between signing bills, too—expressive writing may
encourage the growth of white blood cells, which fight off infection,
research shows.

Get moving!
Exercise
helps your body look terrific, of course, but it can also help it work
better, improving your immunity as well as your bone strength and
circulation. Aim to work out for 30 minutes
five times a week to feel as fantastic as you'll look. Want to shore up
your immunity even further? Spring for a massage post–sweat session (as
if you needed an excuse!). People who follow intense gym sessions with
a rubdown restore levels of molecules in saliva that stave off germs, a
study from the University of Granada in Spain finds. Find a toning routine you can do anywhere.Countdown to fun
Whether
it's a tapas dinner with pals or some well-deserved couch time with
your pal Tina Fey, anticipating an enjoyable event lowers stress
hormones and enhances your immunity, according to Lee Berk, Ph.D., a
professor of pathology and human anatomy at Loma Linda University in
California. Put fun first on your calendar—you might see fewer colds
and more smiles!

Fill your cart smart
Your
prescription for health is right in the produce aisle! Blueberries,
green bell peppers, kiwifruit, strawberries and tomatoes all contain
vitamin C, to help bolster your immunity. And avocado and spinach are
major health improvers, especially when eaten together. Turns out that
the monounsaturated fats in avocado release spinach's nutrients: You'll
absorb up to 15 times more beta-carotene, which can strengthen the
immune system and ward off infection, by pairing the two. A spinach
quesadilla with guacamole might be just what the doctor ordered!