YOUR FRIENDS' ACTIVITY

    The ABCs of Cold and Flu Prevention

    By | Healthy Living – Tue, Nov 29, 2011 1:58 PM EST

    Try these 6 simple steps to take control of your health during the cold and flu season.

    Adopt the French Way
    The evidence for hands as a major route for transmitting infection is so strong that scientists at the London School of Hygiene recommend greeting friends the French way, with a peck on the cheek rather than a handshake. Or improvise, according to the situation. The next time someone approaches you with palm outstretched, try an "air kiss" or a manly hug instead.

    Blast Your Sponges in the Microwave
    Keep your kitchen sponge or cloth germ-free by microwaving it on full power for 2 minutes daily. This kills 99 per cent of micro-organisms. WARNING: Do this only with a damp sponge or cloth - otherwise it's a fire risk.

    PLUS: 8 Places Germs Are Hiding in Your Home

    Call a Friend and Take a Walk
    One study showed that post-menopausal women who took regular, moderate exercise - brisk walking for 45 minutes five times a week - had up to a three-fold reduction in the number of colds they suffered compared with women who didn't exercise.

    Disinfect Household Surfaces Regularly
    Door handles, taps, television remote controls and refrigerator doors may all be repositories for germs; other culprits include telephones, computer keyboards, light switches, kitchen surfaces and cleaning cloths.

    PLUS: Secrets Your House Cleaner is Keeping

    Eat Well, Exercise and Sleep
    A healthy diet - with a generous intake of fruit and vegetables - exercise and 7 hours of sleep daily, can make your body less vulnerable to germs.

    Fight It With Garlic
    In a study involving 146 volunteers at the Garlic Centre in East Sussex, half were given a garlic supplement daily and the other half a placebo. During 90 days over the winter, those taking garlic had a total of 24 colds, compared with 65 among those on placebo. People taking garlic supplements who did catch a cold also had a shorter duration of symptoms and a lower risk of reinfection.

    Follow us on facebook!

    Plus:
    20 Secrets Your Waiter Won't Tell You
    15 Foods You Should Never Buy Again
    11 Biggest Red Flag Words on Packaged Foods
    50 Secrets Nurses Won't Tell You
    13 Things Your Dentist Wants You to Know
    13 Things a Movie Theater Employee Won't Tell You
    13 Hotel Secrets You Should Know
    13 Things the Pizza Guy Won't Tell You
    19 Weight Loss Secrets From Around the World

    Get more insider secrets and sign up for our newsletters.