Cold and flu season, yep… it’s here again: along with the sniffles, infected sinuses, coughing, sneezing, fever, headache and chills. Even though there are people who swear at flu shots and others who swear by them, we all know about that option, but maybe this will help. Following are 10 ways (besides cough and cold medicine) to boost your immune system during cold and flu season (with or without flu shots)!

Do you know the reasons cold and flu symptoms occur? It is actually the way your immune system fights off whatever virus you managed to pick up. Look at this:

• Fever – Higher temperatures will both slow down germ production and increase the performance of your immune system.

• Swollen Sinuses – Those nasty germs cause an army of immune cells to rush into battle after them.

• Drippy Nose – What this does is flush germs out of your body along with excess mucus.

To avoid or lessen the severity of a cold or the flu you need to build up your immune system. Try some of these suggestions:

1. Eat a healthier diet. Eat minimal saturated fats and a lot of wholegrains and fresh fruits and veggies. Alcohol should be consumed in moderation.

2. Get enough sleep. Sleep deprvation is a common problem area for Americans!

3. Work at maintaining your weight, through diet and exercise.

4. Get control of your stress level and your blood pressure. Diet and exercise will help here, too.

5. Wash your hands often and thoroughly. This is one of the best ways to avert germ contamination. Both before and after handling food it is especially important to keep your hands clean.

Health food stores and reputable websites online offer many homeopathic immune system boosters. Some natural things you might try would be:

6. Natural herbal teas will help clear that stuffy nose, ease your stress, and help you sleep while natural expectorants, cough drops that contain lemon, honey and/or green tea will soothe your cough.

7. Vitamins and supplements that do not contain chemicals, colors and preservatives, can boost your immune system and lessen symptoms when you have a cold. Zinc, vitamin C and multiple vitamins are helpful…but not when you take too many.

8. Quit smoking. If you don’t smoke, avoid those who do when you have a cold or the flu.

9. Having regular checkups promotes health and can prevent simple conditions from becoming exacerbated by a cold or the flu, especially if you have chronic conditions or are elderly.

10. Believe it or not, routine also helps to boost your immune system during cold and flu season! Going to bed and getting up at the same time every night and morning helps to regulate your body. Also, eating at normal times, and drinking plenty of water every day, will help to keep the stress level down and the germs at bay!

These are all great ways to stay feeling healthy, avoid doctor fees and staying away from antibiotics. Finding homeopathic cold remedies will also help you in these areas.