Fall is finally here and winter is around the corner. It’s time to get out the ear muffs, scarves, boots, and gloves, but the downfall is that cold and the flu are inevitable during these months. Here’s 5 tips to staying healthy this season.
5: Strengthen Your Immune System
When you consume foods that are rich in certain vitamins you’re immune systems can fight off illnesses. A strong, healthy immune system makes it easier for your body to fight off these unwanted germs resulting in reduced sick time. Vitamin C is your best friend during the fall/winter seasons. Lack of Vitamin C actually makes your more prone to getting sick because your body doesn’t produce nor store it. Daily intake is vital. Foods rich in Vitamin C include oranges, strawberries, tangerines, grapefruits, spinach, kale, and broccoli. If you don’t like these, you can also take Vitamin C supplements. Yogurt, garlic, zinc, larch, oregano oil, mushrooms, avocados, sweet potatoes, and turmeric are all immune system supporting foods.
4: Simple Fix: Wash your hands
Most germs are spread through skin to skin contact. Make sure to carry your own pens/pencils. This limits the amount of germs shared amongst each other. As your touching door handles, rails, desk, chairs, and tables of thousands of people that have touched this surface before you having your own personal hand sanitizer wouldn’t help when you can’t wash your hands. However, washing your hands is the ultimate way in controlling and preventing the spread of germs/illnesses.
P.S. Don’t forget to wash under your fingernails. This is where most germs lurk.
3: Hit the Sheets
No, not R-Rated- get those minds out of the gutter! Sleep is essential for a lot of things. It refreshes the body providing us with the energy to carry out task, helps lower stress levels, and it’s also is a great boost for the immune system. Proper sleep keeps the body’s immune system healthy and able to fight off colds. Try avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and cigarettes around bedtime as this will affect the quality of your sleep.
2: Stay Hydrated
When the fall/winter months roll around, people put down water and reach for coffee, hot chocolate, and tea and although these are great, don’t forget that water is essential for the human body to function. Dehydration results in vulnerability to illnesses; without water intake you start to drag and feel sluggish. The change in weather changes your thirst levels, but still try to intake at least two liters of water each day.
1: Live, Laugh, and Enjoy Life
If you haven’t noticed when you’re stressed, your body doesn’t perform at its best. Stress plays a major role in your health. The immune system doesn’t function properly when our stressed. Take out time with family and friends, go see a movie, give yourself a spa day, heck sit in front of the TV and watch cartoons if it relaxes you.