There’s so much to look forward to each year as the temperatures start to drop: the parties, the first fall of snow, the universal understanding that we should all cancel our plans and stay in.

But the colder months also mark the return of cold and flu season, one part of cozy season we all wish we could avoid. While there’s no way to steer clear of the sniffles and sneezes altogether, there are some simple steps you can take now to help set yourself — and your home — to help manage this cold and flu season.

One of the best things you can do for your immune system is to keep it hydrated. Consider investing in a reusable water bottle that you can keep on hand throughout the season so you’re never without access to much-needed H2O.

If plain water is a bit too bland for your tastes, you can always add electrolytes or flavor packets to keep things interesting. A cozy cup of tea is another great way to keep your hydration up while embracing the joy of the season.

To really prepare for cold and flu season, it’s important to put the power of water to work beyond what you drink. Consider adding a humidifier to your home so you can further reap the benefits of hydration all year long.

Upping your room’s humidity not only helps keep your throat and nose hydrated; it might help you sleep better, too — and skip that early morning dry mouth. Humidifiers have also been shown to raise a room’s moisture, so there’s a chance they can help alleviate the chapped lips, dry skin, and itchy eyes that many of us deal with during these colder months.

While we’re big on keeping your home comfortable all year, now’s the perfect time to really focus on coziness. Consider bringing home a few extra plush blankets for chilly nights—they’ll also come in handy if you or a loved one catches a cold and needs to hunker down on the sofa.

Soft, warm lighting is another ideal way to inject some comforting ambiance into your space. Stock up on your favorite scented candles and rely on table and floor lamps instead of overhead lighting to make your home extra inviting.

You can even make the air itself cozier by adding Vicks VapoPads to your favorite Vicks humidifier or vaporizer. With formulations for sinus relief, calming, sleep, and more, these easy-to-use pads add an extra dose of comfort to every breath.

Sure, the sun is less present during the fall and winter, but that’s precisely why it’s important to really focus on making time to get outside.

Getting even just a little bit of sunlight every day can help keep your mood lifted naturally, and time spent outside is a great way to ensure you’re still getting fresh air into your system.

There’s something about fall and winter that makes it so tempting to spend the majority of your time posted up on the sofa unwinding in your favorite loungewear set. But keeping your body moving may help you get through cold and flu season as healthily as possible.

Even just a little bit of exercise a day can help boost your immune system and make fighting off illness a little easier. Consider adding a daily walk to your routine or if you really want to stick around home you can find plenty of low-impact workouts online.

It can be easy to overindulge during the holiday season, but keeping your alcohol and sugar intake in check is one of the best things you can do for yourself. 

Of course, you should still feel free to enjoy your favorite seasonal treats, just with moderation in mind. Going overboard on sweets can make you feel sluggish and may make you more susceptible to sickness, so just make sure to include nutrient-rich foods in your diet and keep that hydration up (especially if you reach for a cocktail or two).

It might seem like stocking up on the items that can help most during cold and flu season before you actually need them will invite illness into your home, but it’s really for the best. If you’re anything like me, the idea of trekking out to the store while dealing with illness is the last thing you want to do. And sure, you can order everything for overnight delivery, but even that wait can feel impossibly long when you don’t feel your best.

Instead, keep key items like tissues, cough drops, and sinus soothers on hand. Just imagine being able to reach for something like the Vicks Personal Sinus Steam Inhaler the second you feel the first sign of a tickle in your throat.