Heads up: Flu season is fast approaching, and with school back in session and more people crammed indoors sharing recirculated air, germs and viruses are unavoidable. But is there a way to avoid getting sick? What’s up with those women who seem like they never catch any of the bugs that are going around? Are they just lucky, or is there something we can learn from them? CNN Health believes it’s the latter, and yesterday they posted a list of seven habits that you can adopt today to ward off illness in the future. Here are their wellness tips:

1. Get a massage. As if you needed an excuse, right!? In all seriousness, however, massages are truly valuable because they decrease your stress levels, which boosts your immune system. Try to fit in a rubdown at least once a month, and remember, your masseuse doesn’t have to be a professional; "couples who massage each other for 10 minutes a few times a week can reap significant benefits," according to Tiffany Field, PhD, director of the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami School of Medicine.

2. Take a cold shower. Okay, this one isn’t so appealing. But a brief cold shower (or a short cold water blast at the end of your regular shower) can raise your energy levels and aid in circulation, in addition to giving your skin a healthy glow. I’ve also heard that cold water at the end of a shower can help make your hair shinier, so it may be a worth a shot!

 

 

3. Wash your hands frequently. Sounds pretty obvious, but this is the #1 way to steer clear of bacteria and viruses according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The key is to make sure that you do it long enough (at least 20 seconds of washing) and often enough (particularly before meals and after touching anything in a public place).

 

4. Eat raw garlic. You probably know by now that garlic has lots of antioxidants, which means it’s excellent for your immunity. (It can help prevent heart disease and cancer too!) But cooking diminishes garlic’s power, so eating it raw may be the best course of action. If you can’t stomach raw garlic - even just one clove a day - try garlic capsules instead.

 

5. Stay positive. According to the article, studies have shown that people with "sunnier dispositions" actually produce more illness-fighting antibodies than people who have a negative outlook. Yet another reason to keep the ol’ chin up.

 

 

 

6. Eat lots of ginger. Ginger is great for your digestive health, as it helps move food through the gastrointestinal tract. Try making a simple ginger tea by add a few slices of the peeled root to hot water, or dicing a little to add to a stirfry.

 

 

 

 

7. Try a little prevention. Drinking Vitamin C rich beverages like Emergen-C or Airborne or popping a few zinc lozenges at the first sign of illness may actually work to prevent the onset of a cold, or at least shorten the duration of the symptoms.

 

 

 

What do you think? Have you tried any of these methods and had them work for you, or do you have different tips for staying healthy during cold and flu season? Share your thoughts in a comment!