Forget allergies, this time you're actually sick. Runny nose, sweaty palms, fever, and a nasty cough like a croaking toad. It’s that time of the year when germs decide to work overtime on your immune system.  Although there's always the annual flu shot (which has recently been available at every grocery and drug store,) there's a few other ways to stay healthy in the cold fall and winter months.

It's important to keep your body warm. In the fall, the weather's usually cold in the morning and at night, but pretty warm during the day. A scarf is the perfect accessory. Not only is a scarf a cute, simply wrapping your neck with one will instantly warm you up. A cute beanie or wool cap is always a cute accessory as well, especially if you're having a bad hair day. It's also a good idea to wear socks around the house instead of walking on the cold floors. As long as the extremities (head, feet and hands) of the body are covered, you should be warm.

As important as it is to keep the outside of your body warm, it’s also important to take care of the inside. Warm drinks like hot cocoa and tea are perfect for the cold winter months. Warm peppermint tea with a little honey is divine, as well as cheap! But if you're a true tea fan, I suggest you check out teavana.com.  Teavana has the best teas that are sure to treat the body right; Blueberry Bliss is a personal favorite.  Also, eating an orange or tangerine every morning to give the body an extra boost of Vitamin C, the Superman to your immune system.

Lastly, become the germa-phobe. Now is not the time to share drinks with friends, eat off each other’s plates, or hold hands. It’s like the cold weather gives germs the power, speed and strength of the Flash. Keep hand sanitizer handy. Bath & Body Works has over 50 pocket hand sanitizers for $1.50 or five for five dollars. If you are in an office at work or in the dorm, try to spray a little Lysol on the doorknobs and keyboards to computers to keep germs from passing from one person to another. Overall, it’s the little things that can make a big difference! 

By Olivia Lewis | Photo by wehearit.com