First, remember, there is no "cure" for the common cold - or the flu. Because of this, prevention is very important. Luckily, there are plenty of very simple steps you can take.

For starters, make sure to wash your hands regularly. Like mom always told you, warm, soapy water will do the trick every time. Special attention should be given to teaching your children to follow this simple rule on a regular basis too. Clean hands will go a long way towards reducing your chances of becoming ill.

Of course, the new year is a time when we tend to go to a lot of parties and possibly over-indulge in food and drink. A healthy diet is very important to keeping your immune system running at its most optimum level though, so be especially careful about what you are eating. Make sure to pick on the vegetable sticks as well as the sweets. Remember, alcohol can also weaken your immune system, so watch how much you drink too.

Don't keep staying up so late either. The stress on your body from not getting enough rest can really weaken your immune system and quickly make you susceptible to cold and flu viruses. It's much better for your health if you tape those late night shows this time of year and watch them during the day, instead of staying up until the wee hours to watch them.

For many people, this time of year is very cold, which makes it much less tempting to go outside. Don't get lazy, just because it's winter though. Your body needs exercise and sun to stay healthy and defend itself against viruses. Participating in vigorous outside winter activities such as skating, skiing or even just a good old snowball fight is just the thing to help you fend off colds and the flu.

If you do feel a cold coming on, get ready for it immediately. Start drinking plenty of water and increase the amount of rest you are getting right away. And whatever you do, don't ask your doctor for anti-biotics. They are not effective for colds and will only serve to weaken your immune system and make you resistant to certain strains of bacteria your body might need to defend itself against in the future.

If you are at particular high-risk for developing the flu, such as health-care professionals, you might also consider getting a flu vaccination. Discuss the pros and cons of this with your doctor so you can make an informed decision. For one, it might already be too late in the season for vaccination to be effective. Luckily, preventive measure like those above will go a long ways all on their own.

As you can see, the new year need not be a time to fear the dreaded cold and flu. By taking simple preventive steps you can greatly reduce your chances of getting sick. Here's hoping your 2007 starts on healthy and happy footing and continues throughout the year!