There are no known cures for colds and flu, so cold and flu prevention should be your goal. A proactive approach to warding off colds and flu is apt to make your whole life healthier through proper diet and exercise. But here are a few more ways to stay healthy during cold and flu season, naturally:

Most cold and flu viruses are spread by direct contact. Someone who has the flu sneezes onto their hand, and then touches the telephone, the keyboard, their cell phone, a kitchen glass. The germs can live for hours -- in some cases weeks -- only to be picked up by the next person who touches the same object. So wash your hands often. If no sink is available, rub your hands together very hard for a minute or so. That also helps break up most of the cold germs. Or rub a non-alcohol-based hand sanitizer onto your hands. I love the Clean Well brand in Orange Vanilla. 

Because germs and viruses cling to your bare hands, muffling coughs and sneezes with your hands results in passing along your germs to others. When you feel a sneeze or cough coming, use a tissue, then throw it away immediately. If you don't have a tissue, turn your head away from people near you and cough into the air.

Cold and flu viruses enter your body through the eyes, nose, or mouth. Touching their faces is the major way children catch colds, and a key way they pass colds on to their parents.

Water flushes your system, washing out the poisons as it rehydrates you. A typical, healthy adult needs eight 8-ounce glasses of fluids each day. How can you tell if you're getting enough liquid? If the color of your urine runs close to clear, you're getting enough. If it's deep yellow, you need more fluids.

Researchers aren't clear about the exact role saunas play in prevention, but one 1989 German study found that people who used a sauna twice a week got half as many colds as those who didn't. One theory: When you take a sauna you inhale air hotter than 80 degrees, a temperature too hot for cold and flu viruses to survive. My FAR-Infrared Sauna provides you with these amazing benefits plus is FDA-approved for pain management and burns 700 calories in a 30-minute session. I offer clients and yoga students the lowest price in the Fox Valley for these sessions by far. See sidebar, left, for full details!

A regular dose of fresh air is important, especially in cold weather when central heating dries you out and makes your body more vulnerable to cold and flu viruses. Also, during cold weather more people stay indoors, which means more germs are circulating in crowded, dry rooms.  Sunshine provides much needed immune boosting Vitamin D.  Get at least 15 minutes of sunshine daily.

Aerobic exercise speeds up the heart to pump larger quantities of blood; makes you breathe faster to help transfer oxygen from your lungs to your blood; and makes you sweat once your body heats up. These exercises help increase the body's natural virus-killing cells. With improved postures your organs can function more effectively and you will breathe better for better health.  Improve your posture and get cardio with yoga!  While all JKFY yoga classes will help you, try my Power Yoga class on Wednesday nights at 5:45 pm for an awesome flexibility, strength, core and aerobic combination that trains you total body as you naturally detox or Yoga Sculpt on Friday mornings at 9 am.  See the class schedule under This Week's Yoga section, left sidebar for details or call for more info!

"Phyto" means plants, and the natural chemicals in plants give the vitamins in food a supercharged boost. So put away the vitamin pill, and eat dark green, red, and yellow vegetables and fruits. Try the delicious tropical tasting Greens! by Isagenix in your next IsaLean meal replacement shake for a healthy, low cal meal replacement that builds lean muscle and gives your body all it it needs pre or post workout to function at your peak performance! Sample it just $3 a serving in the trial size!

Some studies have shown that eating a daily cup of low-fat yogurt can reduce your susceptibility to colds by 25 percent. Researchers think the beneficial bacteria in yogurt may stimulate production of immune system substances that fight disease.My favorite recommendation is 0% Fat FAGE yogurt. Not only is it creamy and delicious plain and just 100 calories a cup, but you can use it in your recipes when they call for sour cream. Flavor it for breakfast or a snack with cinnamon - a spice that helps to reduce appetite and include fresh fruit for a great low-cal protein and carb combination that is great pre-workout!

Statistics show that heavy smokers get more severe colds and more frequent ones.

Even being around smoke profoundly zaps the immune system. Smoke dries out your nasal passages and paralyzes cilia. These are the delicate hairs that line the mucous membranes in your nose and lungs, and with their wavy movements, sweep cold and flu viruses out of the nasal passages. Experts contend that one cigarette can paralyze cilia for as long as 30 to 40 minutes.

Alcohol use suppresses the immune system in a variety of ways. Those who drink are more prone to initial infections as well as secondary complications. Alcohol also dehydrates the body -- it actually takes more fluids from your system than it puts in. It also reduces your metabolism and inhibition, which often makes you eat foods you wouldn't normally along with other concerns. In addition, alcohol reduces the effect of antibiotics and can cause many complications if you are on any form of medication. It also changes the way your body metabolizes fat, which greatly impacts weight gain, not to mention who wants to exercise after they've had a glass of wine? Yes, I know they say red wine does have some health benefits, but in my opinion, you can reap those benefits in other safer and healthier ways!

If you can teach yourself to relax, you can activate your immune system on demand. There's evidence that when you put your relaxation skills into action, your interleukins -- leaders in the immune system response against cold and flu viruses -- increase in the bloodstream. Train yourself to picture an image you find pleasant or calming. Do this 30 minutes a day for several months. Keep in mind, relaxation is a teachable skill, but it is not doing nothing. People who try to relax, but are in fact bored, show no changes in blood chemicals.

So this is another great reason to enjoy yoga for better health this week! My themes that are interwoven into yoga classes are a conscious meditation that will actively help reduce stress and therefore improve your immune system. In addition, yoga has a natural detox that also boost your immune system. And the warmer temperature in the room increases your ability to sweat and detox while keeping muscles warm for improved flexibility and blood flow.

Want to try yoga, but feeling unsure about coming to a class? Contact me for details! My ladies only classes are smaller, personal and great for beginners.

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  Fitness Fact - How to Stay Fit this Holiday, Fully Finish Your Moves and More! 

The holidays will be here before we know it! Watch for upcoming details on this year's Jingle Bell Bootcamp!  Individual camp dates will be offered indoors so you can jingle, not jiggle!   

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