The holidays are a germ's paradise.  People are coming together in shopping malls, airports and other public places with high traffic.  They're gathering in homes and at office parties, often hugging and kissing to celebrate.  The holidays can be especially hard on your health, not only because of the stress level, but also because "togetherness" can be a breeding ground for germs.   And that could lead to getting sick with a cold or even the flu.

The good news is that you can plan a strategy for heading off the germs before they make you sick.  Whether or not you get a flu shot, try some of these tricks to help stay healthy during the holidays (and any other time of the year!).

• Wash your hands often. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends:  Wet hands with warm water, lather up with soap, rub hands together briskly for 10 seconds, use a nail brush to scrub out whatever lurks beneath the nails, rinse, and dry off with a paper towel.
• Take steps to avoid crowded situations when you can.
  Shop at times of the day when there are less people out. Shop early in the day or later at night and avoid Saturdays. Most stores have extended holiday hours during the shopping season. There's also online shopping.
• Use the "3 foot" rule when someone around you is coughing. Make sure to stay that distance away from them so that you will be less at risk for picking up air droplets that contain germs.
• Keep your hands in your pockets or at least away from your face. Most germs enter your body through your mouth, nose or eyes. Keeping your hands away from those areas keeps germs away as well.
• At the grocery store, take wipes for the cart handle, unless your store carries them for you.

Make sure to always carry Waiora's Natural Cellular Defense - a real weapon to help fight back against toxins and support a healthy immune system.  Click here to purchase Natural Cellular Defense.