One of the best ways to prevent colds and flu is to get a flu shot during the flu season. Though this is not a natural method, it is very effective. Other than this, there are certain simple rules that you can follow to prevent cold and flu.

Clean hands

Washing your hands will ensure that you do not get the flu virus on your bare hands, either for doorknobs or telephones that have already been touched by an infected person. Since cold and flu viruses are spread by direct contact, you should be careful while touching public objects that may be infected.

Use a tissue while sneezing

Do not cover your mouth with your bare hands while sneezing. You will simply pass on the virus to someone else. You should also not touch your face as the flu viruses enter through the eyes, nose, or mouth.

Fluids and fresh air

Since fluids flush your system, it helps to wash out the toxic materials and helps to rehydrate you. Apart from this, a few strolls in the park can be good for you, especially during the winter season, when central heating makes you susceptible to catching cold.

Exercise and food

The right kind of exercise can help you to prevent colds and flu. Aerobic exercise makes the heart pump larger quantity of blood and increases your body temperature. This helps to increase the body’s natural immunity system.

Foods containing Phytochemicals are also great as a flu remedy. Phyto means plants and these are natural vitamins that make you stronger. In addition, even low fat yoghurt is believed to reduce your susceptibility to colds by 25 percent.

Smoking

Smoking makes you very susceptible to cold and flu. It dries out your nasal passages and paralyzes the delicate hairs that line the mucous membranes in the lungs and the nose.

Sleeping and resting

A good night’s sleep can boost up your immunity, thereby helping to prevent cold and flu. However, once you catch a cold, you should be ready with certain cold and flu remedies. Perhaps the most potent remedy is rest. You should be adequately rested as this will give your body the chance to heal itself. Avoid going to work, as this will affect the quality of your work, and might also infect your co-workers.

You should have plenty of fruits and vegetables, as they contain the vitamins that are necessary to maintain a good immune system. Another good flu treatment can be done through nasal irrigation, which helps to clear the sinuses of mucus carrying the cold or flu virus. Including zinc in your diet is also important to prevent cold and flu.

Elderberry is known to have great powers to prevent common cold and flu. Red Wine is also found to have decreased the chances of contracting flu by 20%, if you have a glass of wine daily. Garlic is yet another powerful anti-viral that usually tends to kill the cold viruses. Other immunity boosters that can help to prevent colds and flu are Echinace, Echinace , Andrographis, coconut oil and ginger.

Remember that in case of cold and flu, prevention is better than a cure.