How to Stay Healthy in the Winter Months

The best way to BE healthy is to STAY healthy. As soon as winter hits, I start taking Emergen-C or Airborne. These give you a shot of Vitamin C and zinc, as well as various other "good things."

I don't know if these really help me, but I do know I haven't yet gotten sick when I've taken them consistently. Is that scientific? Not really. I'm just a sample size of 1. Still, I make sure these items are in my arsenal every winter. The other day I started feeling a tickle in my throat and immediately swigged some Emergen-C and sure enough, it went away by the next day. Yes, possibly it was going to go away anyway, but I'm not willing to risk it anymore.

On a personal note, I prefer the Lemon-Lime flavor, but I know many people like the Orange as well.

A lot of people ask if products with antibacterial properties will help keep you healthy. I'll be honest, I'm not really a fan of most products that claim to be antibacterial. Most studies seem to show that using these ultimately make germs more resistant, and usually just a good round of soap and warm water is just as effective, so why add something you don't need? Plus, the more people use antibacterial products when they don't need to, the faster the germs will mutate and turn into superbugs.

However, having said that, I am a HUGE fan of the Gold Bond Moisturizer with Sanitizer. Yes, I know this is a contradiction, but I use this when I can't wash my hands, so I feel like it's okay. Plus, it's SO moisturizing; I think of it more as a hand cream that happens to have sanitizer in it rather than a hand sanitzier. Try it, I guarantee you love it.

It's easy in the winter months to hibernate with lots of warm comfort food. But too much mac and cheese and not enough veggies and fruit can weaken your immunity so much that even Vitamin C won't help. Don't be afraid of root vegetables and dark greens! Eat blueberries whenever you can -- they are filled with antioxidants. Get inspired by one of these great healthy cookbooks!

Exercise, exercise, exercise! Look, none of us want to exercise in the winter. I know I don't. But my favorite activity, hula-hooping, comes with a lot of healthy benefits besides just trimming down my waistline. I can do it while watching TV easily. Find a favorite way to get some exercise in your house, whether it's a yoga DVD or a hula hoop, or just jumping rope. All these things will help boost your immunity.

Sometimes, despite our best efforts, we still get sick. The biggest mistake then is not slowing down and taking care of yourself. Everyone is so busy, and everyone thinks, Oh, if I can just get this ONE LAST THING done, it will be fine and I can rest. Well, not only are you dragging out the inevitable, you are continuing to spread the germs around so other people will get sick after you. Stop and rest. Sleep. Do as little as possible.

Yes, I know as moms it's hard to stop doing everything. And I know it's not always possible. But sometimes it's better to let the load of laundry sit one more day (or get your child to help with it, if he or she is old enough!).

And also? Make sure you get the tissues with lotion in them. Yeah, you're going to need them.