12 Things You Can Do Now to Avoid a Holiday Flu

The holidays are a perfect microbial storm just waiting to bring you down with cold or flu. Blame the season, slacking health habits and lots of people and food, and you're one sneeze away from getting hit with a bug. Here are 12 ways to avoid getting sick during the holidays.

Wash your hands, constantly. We know, the water is cold and your knuckles are cracking from going in and out of the heat. Find a heavy-duty moisturizer for that, but do not skip washing your hands. After the restroom, before you eat, after you used a co-worker's computer. Whenever you can, wash.

And only touch your face when you're washing it. One of the most common ways to introduce germs into your body is through touching your face. Your mouth, nose and eyes are all conduits where germs live and thrive. So sit on your hands if you have to, but stop touching your face. If your eye is itchy, run to a sink and wash your hands before you pick or scratch.

If you're staying with friend or relatives over the holiday, or crashing at someone else's place after the office holiday party, be sure to pack your own blanket. Germs are survivors, and bedding is an easy way to share a cold without actually having to touch.

Same goes for pillows, where germs love to hang out and play. If you can, bring your own pillow. If you want to be less obvious, tuck a clean pillowcase into your overnight bag—and use it. There is no shame in anti-viral measures.

Look, you should have gotten the shot back in October. But, even if you didn't, they're still available at your doctor's office or a local pharmacy. Get one now and, by the time you're stuffed into an airplane or being forced to kiss your aunt and uncle, you should have the protection you need from this season's flu virus.

'Tis the season and all that, but tying one on night after night is going to weaken your immune system and make fighting colds and illness a losing battle. So cut back on the booze, setting your limit before you head out to a party. Switch to soda or juice as the night wears on and, no matter what, do not share your drinks with others. Not even for just a little taste.

Staying healthy is a matter of avoiding certain germs, but it also means eating the kinds of foods that boost your immune system and make you feel good. Lots of greens and citrus, whole fruits and vegetables, salads and smoothies packed with vitamins. Limit sugar, too, as it wreaks havoc on your blood sugar and insulin levels, leaving you hungry, cranky and possibly more vulnerable to getting sick.

Exercise boosts circulation and increases blood flow around your body, which lets your immune system detect viruses or other problems before they spread too widely. So keep your fitness routine, possibly even adding reps, miles or time spent in the gym, to keep yourself from coming down with a cold or the flu.

People who get less than 7 hours of sleep most nights are three times as likely to come down with a cold than those who get 8 hours or more. Sleep, next to food, is one of the greatest non-pharmaceutical medicines we have. Poor sleep may lead to a decrease in the T-cells our body produces, which increases our vulnerability to viruses. Sleep off a cold before it happens.

Yes, we love seeing family and friends. But save the kisses and hugs for a less germ-filled and vulnerable time. Wave, shake hands (then go wash them) or pat folks on the back. But putting your face right up in theirs is what's going to put you under the weather for the rest of your holiday break. That's no way to spend your free time.

Planes, trains, city buses: they're filled with sick people traveling over the holidays. If you have an option, sit in an uncrowded area, or ask a flight attendant to reseat you if you're neighbor is sneezing and coughing. If that fails, do not—we repeat, DO NOT—put your hands anywhere near your face during the duration of your trip. Wash your hands as soon as you can. And change your clothes and shower, if that's at all a possibility.

Water and staying hydrated during the holidays is another great way to beat back the onslaught of germs and viruses. Carry a reusable water bottle, do not share it with anyone and drink as much as you can. Warm water is also OK, if the thought of ingesting cold water gives you the chills. Neither coffee nor champagne counts toward your hydration goals, but they are a great reason to double—no, triple down—on intake to stay healthy through the new year.