With cold and flu season creeping up, more and more people around us are getting sick and spreading it. This is only to be expected when spending your day in a densely populated space like Fanshawe College, so how do you make sure you don't get a sick during this circulation of illness?

Clean hands before eating
Make sure you wash your hands before you eat or touch your face, especially if you have just been on a city bus or in a computer lab. Who knows who was clinging on to that bus-pole, or typing on that keyboard before you did. They may have had a cold, sneezed in their hand, touched the keyboard and left all sorts of fun bacteria, waiting for you to pick it up and transfer it to your sandwich. Antibacterial hand sanitizers are not recommended either, though; because it kills the helpful bacteria our body uses to fight off the bad bacteria.

Eat your fruits and veggies
Not only do fruits and veggies have vitamins that help prevent illness and boost your immune system, but they also have wonderful things called “phytochemicals” that act as an extra little army of protectors to help you fight off the bad bugs that want to make you sick.

So what if you do get a cold? What is the best way to kick its butt?

Fluids
It's so important to get plenty of fluids to help flush out that nasty bacteria and help you stay hydrated while your body tries to get rid of the cold by expelling it out. Orange juice and milk are said to create mucous, so these are probably not the best options to chug while you have a stuffy nose or congested lungs.

Create little work for your body
Be mindful of what you are putting into your body while you are sick. Try to eat simple foods that won't take your body a lot of work to process. This lends lots of energy to your immune system to help you get better. Alcohol is a very bad idea at this time, as well as processed foods. A nice broth is your best friend!

Rest up
The most important thing is to get lots of sleep. I know it isn't easy to miss school, but you should stay home and in bed to let your body heal itself. The body works best at battling sickness when you are in a restful state.

In addition, the more adventurous can try a special “elixir” that I've created in the past for a quick boost when I have a cold. It consists of chicken broth, raw garlic, cinnamon, parsley, lemon juice and chili flakes. The chili flakes, cinnamon and parsley are good for clearing congestion, lemon juice and hot broth soothes your throat and garlic is antifungal and antibacterial. It doesn't taste all that good, but it works!