It’s that time of year when everywhere you go, everyone is getting sick. You walk into work or school, and one by one, people disappear like fallen soldiers. Influenza becomes a word to fear, and "cold" no longer means the temperature. Everyone carries tissues, cough drops, and bottles of cold syrup and wields them like weapons against evil viruses. Are you next?

1. Drink plenty of water:

Drinking water is your new hobby. You must keep water bottles in your car, at work, stuffed between couch cushions, pillows in bed. If you think you've had enough water, you're wrong. Someone coughed on you at the grocery store today... Oh no.

2. Keep track of your vitamins:

Did you know a red bell pepper has over twice the amount of vitamin C as an orange? Red bell peppers are now your new hobby. You figure out ways to put them into every meal, and when all else fails, you just serve them on the side. You thought your throat was sore earlier, but it's probably just dry, right?

3. Bundle Up:

As the temperature plunges, so should you... into your closet for warmer clothes. Scarves and gloves and hats and sweaters. Keep the cold out and warm up! Plus, they act as great barriers for when everyone around you starts to sniff and sneeze. Did you just sneeze? It's just dust!

4. Tell your sick friends to stay home:

As your sick friends begin to grow and grow to an unmanageable size, make sure to gently remind them to stay home and avoid getting everyone else sick. They will probably ignore these suggestions though, so it may be best to just save your breath, which for some reason is a little tighter today.

5. Rest up:

It's official, you've woken up and you're sick now too. Stay in bed an extra hour grieving over all the appointments you're going to miss in the next few days. Rest up and try not to get anyone else sick!!!