Eat Right - and Bright! A diet that is rich in phyto-nutrients can help keep your immune system strong and able to fend off the flu. Phytochemicals include a variety of special plant compounds that support your immune system. They're easy to spot - fruits and vegetables that have deep or bright colors, like blueberries, cherries, kale, and sweet potatoes, are especially rich in phytochemicals. Try to get in 2-3 servings of fruit and 3-5 servings of veggies each day. You can also work to include immune-boosting foods in your meals. Mushrooms are an immunity super-food: Maitake and shiitake varieties in particular are rich in beta-glucans, which stimulate your immune system. Spice up all those veggies while you're at it-garlic, ginger, and turmeric are among the common spices that have immune-boosting, anti-viral properties. And don't forget good old Vitamin C: Nosh on fruit like oranges, tangerines, oranges, mangos, and papaya to boost your C, increasing your production of white blood cells. 

  

Count Lots of Sheep: Getting 6-8 hours of restful sleep each night is essential to keeping your body healthy. Sleep gives your body's systems time to relax, repair, and replenish.  Getting enough sleep will also help you to reduce your stress level, a key to keeping your immune system in order.  Practice good sleep hygiene in order to get the most out of your Zzz's. Don't get into bed until you're tired, to reduce tossing and turning. Shut off the TV, and avoid the temptation to check your email one last time on your smartphone -- the artificial light can throw off your body's production of melanin, mixing up your internal clock and making it harder to fall asleep.

Make Hygiene a Habit: The flu virus is spread by exposure -- and that can happen just about anywhere. Anything you touch that someone else has touched, from the elevator buttons at work to the knob on your front door, can potentially harbor the flu virus. Washing your hands regularly throughout the day -- especially before and after meals, and after using the restroom -- is important. Same goes for covering your cough: If you need to cough or sneeze, nod your head and do it into the crook of your elbow. Make sure your kids follow these habits, so they'll be less likely to bring the flu home from school.

Stay Active: Exercise can also help you reduce stress and build a strong immune system. Though it can be tempting to stay indoors when the weather cools, keeping up with running or walking will help keep your whole body in shape (the idea that you catch a cold from being cold is an old wive's tale). If the great outdoors aren't for you, hit the gym. Just be sure to wipe down shared equipment before and after use, and don't touch your eyes or mouth while you are at the gym. Thoroughly wash your hands after you work out (even before you hit the showers) to make sure the only bug you catch is the fitness bug.