Ellington

No doubt, stress lowers your resistance. But there are things you can do to stay healthy while everyone around you is bleary-eyed and runny-nosed. Here are some basics, old and new, from the most recent research:

DO

Wash your hands often. This one's so basic I hate even to include it in a list, but germs live everywhere, not just in public restrooms. They're on phones, elevator buttons, grocery cart handles …

Gargle with water. In a recent study, the Japanese who gargled three times a day with plain water had 36 percent fewer colds than folks who didn't gargle and fewer than those who gargled with antiseptic mouthwash.

Use your own pen. Yup, you guessed it. It's those germs again, this time congregating on the pen that everyone uses to sign credit receipts and sign-in sheets.

Get moving. Regular exercise can cut your chances of getting a cold by 20 to 30 percent.

Take a hot bath. Lower your stress levels by simply relaxing and zoning out once in a while.

Sip white tea instead of coffee. Tea contains chemicals called catechins, which may help your system fight viruses. White tea contains more of these babies than other tea types.

Get a flu shot. No, it's not too late.

Eat breakfast. A new study from Wales indicates that cereal-eaters are less likely to catch colds than those who don't eat them, probably because of the extra vitamins and minerals most cereals provide these days.

DON'T

Smoke. Another "duh" statement, that's worth repeating again (and again, and again).

Go nuts with Vitamin C. An Australian review of 23 major studies found it was ineffective in preventing colds or lessening symptoms.

Overdose on exercise. Intense exercise, like training for a marathon, can actually suppress your immune system, while moderate exercise (see above) strengthens it.

Argue. Call a friend, write in a journal or walk around the block to regroup. Once you're calmer, tackle the situation anew.

Drink to excess. No, alcohol doesn't kill cold germs, no matter how much you'd like it to. Keep it to one drink or less a day.

Sources: Health, Fitness magazine.