Ever wonder why so many people get sick as soon as the winter months are upon us? School starts, schedules get busier, we sleep less, windows are closed, germs are shared and we tend to stay indoors more with each degree the temperature drops.

You can’t avoid the germs, especially if you have children in daycare or school, but you can keep your immune system strong to avoid them taking hold of your family!

Make sure you are getting plenty of rest, eating fruits and vegetables, and everyone is taking their immune boosting vitamins such as Vitamin D, Omega 3’s and a good multi vitamin. It’s also important to stay active.

The reason our bodies turn up the temperature when we get sick is that germs don’t like the heat! If you have aches, chills or a fever with your cold then bed rest is what you need, but if it’s just the sniffles, don’t let them keep you down for long. Staying active is the key to staying healthy.

Whenever possible, get outside and get active! If winter workouts are not for you, make sure you are staying active indoors. Invest in a couple of at-home workout DVD’s or commit to doing sit ups and push ups everyday and invite the kids to join you. Borrow their skipping rope or hula-hoop and give it a try. Set up an indoor family Olympics and be prepared to have lots of fun!

Do plan to spend time outdoors too. Stale, germ filled indoor air will only drag you down. Bundle up in your winter woolys, grab the kids and head outside! If you have snow, build a fort, make a snowman, put food coloring in a few spray bottles and draw your best portrait.

No snow? No problem! Get out the bikes and roller blades or just go for a walk in your neighborhood or in the nearest forest. Take the kids, take the dog, and make it a family affair! Make sure getting exercise is part of your defense against the sniffles.

Combined with eating your fruits and vegetables, taking immune boosting vitamins and getting outside for fresh air, staying active is the best defense against the sniffles. Those nasty cold germs won’t stand a chance against you!