Want to avoid the flu? You should, because it can be severe, especially if you are under age 50. Washing hands and avoiding crowds is fine. Eating right helps. But you can raise your immunity by relaxing and smiling! How to relax? Best is to count your breathing. Breathe in count of four and out count of six. When you exhale that is a relaxation mode.

By making your relaxation longer than your inhalation, you are physically in a relaxation mode longer. How to smile these days? How about playing Broadway Musicals? Or whatever music makes you feel happy? Even better, tap to the music or move your body.

Most important for immunity is good sleep. You need to set your sleep clock. Go to bed at the same time. Make your sleep preparation as formal as possible each time- brush teeth, comb hair, cream face - the more formal steps, the more your sleep clock will be set.

Keep the nose moist. In your nose there are microscopic cilia. These are tiny oars that move to remove bacteria, virus and dust out of your nose to the back of your throat where they are deposited in the stomach and destroyed by the stomach acid. If your nose is too dry, then the cilia can't work. A vaporizer in the bedroom helps- but make sure it is free of mold growth. A nasal saline spray helps, but be sure to use one free of the preservative benzalkonium as this can harm the nose. Tea lemon and honey are very desirable as these speed nasal cilia action.

Does Vitamin C help? Probably but limit your intake to 500 mg. Excess Vitamin C can leach calcium from your bones and cause them to be thin.