Be fit by reducing stress, eating right and exercising (even a little), and increase your chances of staying healthy this cold and flu season. These simple tips will give you the edge.

Stress quickly lowers your immune system, making you vulnerable to cold and flu viruses. With school starting and the holidays approaching, stress will likely creep into your life. Here are things you can do to control your stress levels.

• Breathe: Deep breaths keep the oxygen flowing and are calming forces to help you stay level.
• Relax: Set aside some time for yourself. Be aware of muscle tension, especially in your back and shoulders. Even a five-minute breather is enough to reduce stress significantly.

The food you eat affects your health. Vitamins and minerals found in fruits and vegetables can keep your immune system in tune and ready to fight off nasty germs.

• Vitamin C: Probably the most important and well-known immune booster, vitamin C is found in orange juice, spinach and other leafy, dark green vegetables. It is easy to incorporate these vegetables in your diet with salads, pasta dishes or as a side dish to your meal.
• Zinc: This mineral also promotes a healthy immune system. Zinc is found in red meat, brown rice and sardines.

Many cringe at the cost and effort of joining a gym. But exercise does not require a health-club membership. In fact, you can often get the same results in the comfort of your own home.

• Around the house: Do squats while you do dishes, or do a few stretches while putting away the groceries. Extra movements, especially with weight (cans, gallon jugs), help tone your muscles and keep your blood pumping. While watching television, get some exercise in during commercial breaks. Even a few moments of activity and exercise throughout the day add up to better health!
• Take a walk: Even ten or twenty minutes a day of walking can help get you in better shape than doing no exercise at all.
• Get some professional help: There are many instructional DVDs available featuring exercise plans. Aerobics and strength training are all routines you can schedule into your day. By getting into the habit of working out, you will actually look forward to the experience each day.