Top 6 tips to help boost your immune system and prevent a winter cold

If your office is a breeding ground for nasty cold and flu germs it's time to go on the offensive. Here are a few tips and tricks to help you stay feeling fit as a fiddle... Wash your arms Washing your hands regularly is crucial to destroy germs, but scrubbing up your wrists and forearms is even more effective. Research has shown that your forearms harbour more germs than your armpits, so If you can, wash all the way up to your elbows for at least ten seconds. It's also a good idea to keep your nails short so they don't become a breeding ground for bacteria. Eat plenty of chicken soup Making soup out of chicken bones and leftovers from a roast dinner tastes great and infuses the soup with bone marrow, which encourages the body to produce immune boosting white blood cells. Get out the house Spending more time outdoors in the cold can actually help to prevent a cold. Scientists believe that we catch colds because we spend more time indoors, exposing ourselves to airborne viruses more frequently. It's a myth that cold weather causes colds, so don't be fooled. Eat and drink more ginger Infusing some fresh ginger into your morning cuppa could help you ward off viruses. Ginger contains over a dozen anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties which makes it great for boosting the immune system. Plus it's very warming, which will help to take the chill off the cold winter nights. Wear some slippers Keeping your feet toasty warm in the winter can reduce your chances of catching a cold by 67%. Researchers in the UK discovered that cold feet cause the blood vessels in your sinuses to tighten, which can make it more difficult for white blood cells to get to the membranes in your nose and throat (which is where most colds attack). Have more sex Research shows that couples who have regular sex have higher levels of immunoglobulin A in their blood streams, which helps to ward off infections. Getting busy twice a week should do the trick!