With clouds of the H1N1 flu hovering over our heads this season, now is the time more than ever to start paying special attention to building your immune system. By minding your immune system as best you can, you will increase your chances of staying clear of not just the H1N1, but any other nasty flu bugs or colds that may otherwise grab hold of you and ruin your holiday season.

As a cancer survivor myself, my immune system is what I consider to be my personal gold. I cherish it carefully and maintain it as best I can to keep ugly winter flu bugs and colds far away. Here are my 5 top healthy eating and lifestyle tips for keeping my immune system strong. I encourage you to follow these as best you can so you too can enjoy your holiday season to the fullest.

Tip #1: Minimize your consumption of sugar.

Sugar is deadly to your immune system, and of course it doesn't help if you're worried about your weight. Your immune system simply doesn't function as well when you put sugar into your system making you instantly more susceptible to any germs and bacteria coming your way. So, next time you're reaching for that leftover chocolate from Halloween, I encourage you to think twice. When you're in the grocery store and are tempted to buy chocolate, cookies, cakes, pies, ice cream or anything else high in sugar, especially as an impulse buy, I ask you to re-consider. If you buy it and have it lying around on your counters, you will be more likely to eat it. Remember, out of sight, out of mind. To help conquer sugar cravings, I invite you to read one of my previous articles entitled, Conquer Your Cravings by Catching Your ZZZZ's.

Tip #2: Incorporate regular physical activity into your routine.

Exercise is a great way to build your immune system. It increases circulation and blood flow and helps to lift your mood and minimize the effects of stress. The less stress you have and the more optimally your body is able to function with the help of regular exercise, the stronger your immune system will be. This doesn't mean you have to join the gym. If you're not used to exercising, simply going for brisk walks or putting on some dance music and boogie on down for a while letting all your inhibitions go, is enough. It is not so much what you do, but how consistently you do it and at what intensity. Remember, more is better than less, but some is always better than none. Start fitting in whatever exercise you can whenever you can.

Tip #3: Get plenty of good quality sleep.

Sleep is also a tremendous ally when it comes to keeping your immune system strong. When you don't get enough good quality sleep, you are more tired during the day and coping with the stresses and problems of daily life becomes more difficult. Without enough sleep, it is also more difficult to stay motivated to eat healthy and fit in your exercise. To understand more about the power of sleep, I invite you to read one of my previous articles entitled, Conquer Your Cravings by Catching Your ZZZZ's

Tip #4: Minimize ongoing stress.

Stress is a factor of life that is difficult to eliminate. However, to keep a healthy immune system, it is something that must be controlled. Short-term stress is inevitable at times when we have those instant reactions to people or events that are unexpected, such as that traffic jam when you're trying to get to an important appointment on time. It creates worry and anxiety or other emotions difficult to control. However, for the sake of your health on every level, you need to let go of the negative emotions and find a way to re-frame your situation so that you can approach it with a more positive and realistic outlook. If you stay in the "muck" of stress for too long, you are putting your immune system at risk as well as your mental, emotional and spiritual well-being.

Tip #5: Keep your hands clean.

So much of the flus and colds floating around out there are transmitted through touch. We pick up so many germs through our hands without even realizing it since they're all so invisible. Getting into the habit of washing your hands after being in public places is critical especially after shaking hands with others, or using the rest room. I highly believe that we should do away completely with our cultural hand-shaking etiquette. Keeping some hand sanitizer in your purse is a great way to keep your hands clean when it is not possible to get to a rest room. This is especially handy when traveling.