Now that you are headed back to school and will be involved in a lot of activities, we know that it is easy to get tired. But did YOU know that fatigue is a major trigger for cold sores? Same goes for cold weather—and with the fall coming fast, it is going to start getting a little chillier outside. Follow these awesome tips to lessen your chances of an outbreak:

• You don't have to "do it all." Make time in your day to focus on yourself and make downtime its own reward.
• Make sleep, rest and relaxation a regular part of your day, every day.
• Inactivity can actually cause further fatigue. Even on your day off from practice, try to work exercise into your daily routine, even if it’s just a brisk walk around the block.

• In extremely cold weather, cover and protect your face and mouth—with both a moisturizer and a scarf.
• Watch out for conditions that can dry out your skin, such as the heat from your furnace or super-hot baths or showers.
• Keep your skin moist. Use gentle extra-moisturizing cleansers and hydrating masks.
• Keep your body hydrated—don’t skimp on drinking plenty of water.
• Don’t forget to wear lip balm! When you’re out and about it will help guard against the drying effects of cold wind—and be sure to get one with an SPF to protect against
  UV rays.
• Be sure to grab an ABREVA tube or pump while you’re back-to-school shopping. Use it at the first tingle of a cold sore so that you can face the world with confidence.