Everyone is so ready for the holiday season, but is anyone talking about flu season? As the days get colder, we become more and more susceptible to the flu. When you think about all the symptoms, you should want to avoid it as much as possible. Who really wants to deal with chills, fever, a cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, and body aches? Not us! When it seems like no one else knows how to keep their germs to themselves, it’s up to you to be proactive and stay healthy during flu season. While there’s no way to 100% stop yourself from getting the flu, there are a few ways you can diminish your chances. If you’re hoping to dodge the flu this season, here’s what you can do.
Get a Flu Shot
The best way to avoid the flu is by getting a flu shot. There is literally nothing on this list that is more effective than this. 
You can also get a flu shot at a number of locations. While you can get them at your doctor’s office, you can also easily schedule an appointment at your local Walgreen’s or similar pharmacy to get the vaccine.
Wash Your Hands Frequently
When you think about it, your hands touch everything. They touch phones, doors, and even other people’s hands. Unfortunately, you can’t trust that everyone is walking around with clean hands. Because of this, you should take to washing your hands frequently. Anytime your hand comes in contact with an area of frequent contact, you might want to head to your nearest bathroom with soap and water.
Avoid Touching Your Face
Let’s face it. You probably can’t get to a bathroom each time you come in contact with a door handle or someone else’s hand. 
As a rule of thumb, you should aim to avoid touching face or mouth. When you don’t know what kind of germs or bacteria are resting on your hands, stay away from your eyes, ears, nose, and mouth – essentially, anything with a direct line into your internal body. You should just avoid touching your face in general.
Sleep
We’re not talking 4 to 5 hours of sleep a night. We’re talking 7 to 8. You might not know it, but it’s actually easier for your body to contract the flu when you’re tired. Don’t allow yourself to be exhausted and sick! Aim to get a decent night’s rest every night to lessen your chances of getting the flu.
Carry Hand Sanitizer
While washing your hands is great, you might not be able to get to a bathroom at all times. This is why you should always
carry hand sanitizer with you. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers can help kill germs and bacteria, and they’re perfect for quick usage especially when you’re on the go.
Boost Your Immune System
Another great way to stay healthy during flu season is by boosting your immune system. One of the easiest ways to do this is by adding particular foods to your diet.
Vitamin C is known for boosting the immune system so try citrus fruits like oranges and lemons. While citrus fruit and other fruits like kiwi and papaya are great, you can also try incorporating vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, and spinach. You might even incorporate spices like garlic, ginger, and turmeric.
Drink Water
When it comes to staying healthy, you’ll always find “drinking water” on the list. Water is amazing for the body. It helps to
flush out toxins, so staying hydrated will prevent your body from building up these toxins and stop your immune system from taking a hit.
Flu season is here, people! Make sure you do everything you can to stay healthy. It all starts by being a little proactive. By using the tips on this list, you can make sure that your holiday season isn’t put on hold by flu season.
