Cold and flu season is approaching, and viruses are on the rise! Keep your health in top shape by boosting your immunity to stay strong and focused throughout the colder months. Follow these simple steps to protect yourself.
LOAD UP ON SUPERFOODS: Think mushrooms, spinach, ginger, garlic, bone stock, seasonal fruits and yogurts. Not only do these foods contain high doses of antioxidants, they also support the gut lining. The foods we consume become the composition of bacteria in the gut (also known as our gut microbiome) which in turn affects our immune cells.
PRIORITIZE SLEEP: Research shows that people who consistently get less than seven hours of sleep per night are three times more likely to catch a common cold compared to those who get eight or more hours regularly.
HYDRATE: Water is essential for many functions in your body, including maintaining a healthy immune system. Blood and lymph, which contain immune cells, rely on water to circulate effectively throughout the body. Even if you're not actively sweating or exercising, you lose water through breathing, urination, and bowel movements. To keep your immune system strong, it's crucial to replenish the water your body loses.
MOVE YOUR BODY: Physical activity does more than build muscle or aid in weight management—it plays a crucial role in supporting a healthy immune system. Moderate exercise mobilizes immune cells from the bone into the bloodstream and helps distribute them into tissues, enhancing immune surveillance. Think of immune surveillance as your body’s monitoring system, with exercise helping immune cells respond more effectively to infections.
REDUCE STRESS: Whether it hits suddenly or gradually, it’s essential to recognize how chronic stress impacts your health. It can indirectly weaken your immune system by disrupting sleep, promoting poor eating habits, reducing hydration, and lowering physical activity levels.
Since stress varies for everyone, so do the ways to manage it. It’s important to identify your stress triggers and practice effective relief techniques, whether it’s deep breathing, meditation, prayer, or exercise, to protect your health.
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