Slogging through the slush, traveling coast-to-coast for family gatherings and making your way through holiday shopping crowds can make a person feel run down, and that's a perfect invitation to illness.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle during the holidays can help your immune system to stay strong when germs beckon. By making proper nutrition, plenty of rest and exercise part of your holiday plans, you can help to ward off illness.

• Eat Healthy - Christmas cookies and eggnog are delicious holiday treats, but don't exchange healthy calories for a steady diet of holiday food.
• Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze - If you're the one who's under the weather, you can help to reduce the spread of germs by covering your mouth and nose with a handkerchief or tissue as a barrier to help keep germs contained.

• Reduce Stress - Stress levels run high around the holidays, which can weaken your immune system. Make sure you remain healthy by boosting your system with vitamin c and zinc.
• Get Plenty of Rest - Don't let holiday parties, family obligations or last minute shopping trips interfere with sleep.
• Keep up the Exercise Routine - Proper exercise contributes to a healthy immune system, so make fitness part of your holiday plans.