Cooped Up? Get Uncooped.

Via WebMD, this article has some natural ways to help prevent yourself from catching a cold or the flu. I wish I had looked up this list a few weeks ago. Then maybe I wouldn't be sitting here with watery eyes, a red runny nose, and a cough that I can tell is going to get worse. Argh.

And I start a new job next week. Double argh.

Here are a few quick tips:

Drink lots of water

Take your vitamins

Get regular exercise

Get a good night's sleep - every night

Listen to your body - slow down and take it easy if you feel illness coming on instead of trying to push through it

Eat a well-balanced diet

Every full moon, go out and dance with the magic pixies*

*Just making sure you're paying attention

They're pretty standard suggestions, I know, with the possible exception of the pixie-dancing, but it's always good to hear a reminder. I'm going to take a walk tomorrow even though I feel lousy. A short stroll down to the beach that's dotted with sticky globules of bunker oil should put my sickness in perspective.

This is one of many California beaches now clotted with tarlike fuel after the recent oil spill. At last report, oil has been spotted as far north as Pacifica, on the Sonoma coast.

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