Weather changes mean only one thing for many of us – The dreaded flu season. When summer makes way for the monsoon, we reach for our handkerchiefs and start popping those pills. But the flu can be avoided if you take preventive action and start by strengthening your immune system. These natural methods will have you well prepared the next time a weather change comes around. So here they are, natural remedies to avoid the flu:

Up the antioxidants. Strengthen your immune system by tanking up on antioxidants like vitamin A, C, and B-complex.  Vitamin E is also said to provide a protective benefit against the flu so ensure that you increase your intake of vitamin E rich food like nuts and green leafy vegetables.

Eat your greens. We seem to think that there is nothing that a good diet can't tackle. Which is why it’s important to up your intake of phytochemicals, which is a chemical, found only in plants.  So the next time you think that the flu is just around the corner try increasing your intake of green, red and yellow vegetables.

Try and slow down. We know that stress stifles your immune system and weakens it. Though it’s not as easy as it looks, it’s important that when you feel extremely strained, make the effort to back off and take it easy. Once you feel relaxed, your immune system will get a boost and you will be raring to go in no time.

Get some sleep. Sleep deprivation severely hampers immunity, which is why you owe it to your body to get the required 7 to 9 hours of sleep every day all year round. By now you probably know those particular times in the year when you are going to get a bad cold and flu, so at least at those times, catch up on all the lost Zzzzs.

Get some air. Make it a point to go out and get some fresh air. Staying confined to an office space, getting into a car, and then to a crowded gym will only make it worse as bacteria and viruses love to linger in stuffy places. Getting fresh air will not only give you a break from the stuffy environment but will also give you an opportunity to get immune boosting exercise in.

Image courtesy: © Thinkstock photos/ Getty Images