With our simple wellness tips, you’ll be able to cut down on the cough syrup this fall. (Photo by Philip Friedman/Studio D)

Use our guide to fortify your defenses so you’ll (hopefully!) stay well all winter. And if a nasty virus does break through, we’ll get you on the fast track to “all better.”

Your Four-Step Stay-Healthy Plan 

1. Drink up: Staying hydrated keeps your immune system in top germ-slaying shape. That’s even more important when your body loses water through a sweaty fever, a runny nose and teary eyes. Carry a water bottle and sip constantly.
2. Get moving: Exercise, too, keeps your immune system humming. In one study, people who worked out at moderate intensity  called in sick half as often as people who weren’t advised to exercise.
3. Go to bed earlier: Skimping on shuteye lowers resistance. One study found that adults who slept six hours or less per night were four times as likely to catch a cold. Prioritize sleep, and don’t push yourself if you feel bad – listen to your body’s call for rest.
4. Take probiotics: Good bacteria help produce protective immune cells, said Chris D’Adamo, Ph.D., director of research at the Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Try unsweetened yogurt, or pop a supplement.

Do This ...

Wash well: Only 5 percent of people washed their hands long enough to kill germs and bacteria, one study found. Scrub with soap and water for 15 seconds.

Sanitize: Keep a bottle of sanitizing gel in your purse and car, and reach for it when soap and water aren’t available. (As long as hands aren’t visibly dirty, sanitizers are OK.)

Swipe with wipes: When someone in the house is sick, annihilate germs on high-touch household items, like remotes and phones, with an alcohol-based wipe.

… Not That 

Don’t touch your face: Shaking hands, then rubbing your eye or biting a nail – these habits are how you introduce germs into your system.

Never reuse a tissue: Even if you’re using the unsoiled edges, it’s just too easy to touch the wrong part and spread germs around. The rule: One use and done.

Avoid sleeping with a sickie: Love him, but leave him (for a week after he first sniffles). While you may already be infected, you’ll stay healthier on the couch.

Treat Yourself: Self-pampering can help you stay well. Whether it’s yoga, a Netflix binge or hanging out with your least-dramatic friends, employ your relaxation technique of choice liberally. Chronic stress ups your risk of getting a cold, suggests research in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

ON ANOTHER MATTER … 

Your Home: Holiday Organizing 

Follow these shortcuts to tackle any last-minute mess in your cooking zone. 

Clear the counter: Stash mail, paper and rarely used small appliances (like a juicer) in designated drawers or cupboards. Use a cleanser – we stand behind GH Seal holder Mr. Clean Multi-Purpose Spray.

Spot-clean the stove: Take care of stovetop spills and grease on the door handle or inside the glass door with a wet sponge and a dash of baking soda (easier to rinse off than a sudsy cleanser). Wipe up crumbs, then liberally spritz burned-on food with ammonia from a spray bottle. Rinse well with warm water. Next, sprinkle on baking soda and add a few drops of white vinegar. Let it bubble for a minute or two before whisking away the grime with a scrub sponge.

Load the dishwasher: Stop pretending you’re going to rinse the dishes piling up in the sink – load them into the dishwasher now. Run water over drippy detergent bottles and wipe dry, then stick them — along with brushes, pot scrubbers and rubber gloves — under the sink. When all is relocated, wipe around the basin and over the faucet and counters with a cloth.

TABLE 

GH Research Institute Seal Spotlight 

These tester favorites provide proven relief. 

Breathe easier: When rubbed on the chest, neck or back, Vicks VapoRub camphor, menthol and eucalyptus ointment can temporarily relieve coughing. It has been a  Seal holder for nine years!

Nix symptoms: A pain reliever, fever reducer, cough suppressant and decongestant are all packed into DayQuil Cold & Flu Liquid and LiquiCaps. (If you’re on medications or supplements, talk to your doc before taking.)

Indulge your nose: In addition to feeling soft, Puffs Ultra Soft and Strong Two-Ply Tissues were found by the GH Lab to be absorbent and durable whether wet or dry.

Recalls Alert 

The following products and vehicles were recalled by the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Unless otherwise indicated, discontinue use of the products immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a refund. For more information about the products, call the manufacturer or CPSC’s toll-free hotline, (800) 638-2772. Only some cars or trucks recalled are affected. Contact a dealer for your model to see if it is included in the recall. The dealer will tell you what to do.

PRODUCT/VEHICLE 

PROBLEM 

Pier 1 Imports glass knobs, sold exclusively at Pier 1 Imports stores nationwide and online at www.pier1.com from September 2011 through October 2016 for between $6 and $7.

The glass knobs can break while in use, posing a risk of laceration to users from broken glass pieces. Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled glass knobs and return them to any Pier 1 Imports store for a full refund or merchandise credit. Consumers can contact Pier 1 Imports toll-free at (855) 513-5140 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT Saturday or 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT Sunday, or online at www.pier1.com. Click on “Product Notes & Recalls” at the bottom of the page for more information.

2012-2015 Ford Focus

2013-2015 Ford Escape and Ford C-MAX

2015 Lincoln MKC and Ford Mustang

2014-2016 Ford Transit Connect

A component within the door latches may break, preventing the doors from latching and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not. A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the door latches with an improved part for free. Due to a limited parts supply, each owner was sent an interim notification beginning Oct. 3, 2016, and will receive a second notice when parts are available in the second quarter of 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 16S30

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