Another way to prevent colds and flu is to get plenty of rest so your body isn’t compromised by fatigue. When you’re fatigued or tired the chances are you’ll become sick more easily, so being rested as well as unstressed is important.

Stay hydrated by drinking at least 64 ounces of water every day. If you’re trying to do the math, that’s eight 8 ounce glasses, which may seem like quite a bit, but you can include all the liquids you consume in that number, coffee, tea, low sodium soup, and so on.

Why is staying hydrated important? It helps the immune system remain strong and will help anyone already feeling sick feel better. You may have to build up to drinking 64 ounces of water a day, but your body will thank you for it even at other times of the year.

Speaking of the immune system, eating good, nutrient and vitamin-filled foods will improve it. Dieticians generally recommend eating a minimum of five fruits and vegetables each day.

However, maybe you have a picky eater in your home. Over-the-counter multi-vitamins are available to ensure you and your family gets the nutrients needed. You can also take herbs to make your immune system stronger.

Many people recommend Vitamin C in particular for warding off colds and flu. While there has yet to be any concrete evidence supporting this idea, the fact is that it’s best to get your vitamins from a variety of natural sources, and to eat a rainbow of fresh fruits and veggies every day.

People on vegetarian diets in particular will want to get their vitamins from a range of foods. Vitamin C can be found in onions and tomatoes as well as oranges, for example. Soups in particular are nourishing, low in calorie, low in sodium if you shop carefully, and have all the nutrients of their ingredients cooked right in.