Getting sick is no fun, especially when you’re nearing midterms and can’t afford to fall behind. Stress, a poor diet, sleeping too little, and not exercising enough can damage your immune system and make you a target for colds and viruses going around.
Fortunately, there are tons of ways to boost your immune system and ensure you stay healthy through the semester and the holiday season. So before that nasty virus starts going around, take these precautions to stay your healthiest this fall and all year.
Get Enough Sleep
Staying up late and waking up early take a toll on your body and your immune system. If possible, try for 7-8 hours of sleep a night.
Hydrate!
Dehydration leads to headaches and low energy. Drink plenty of water to revive your energy levels, and keep green tea handy at home. Green tea is loaded with antioxidants to keep you feeling well all season.
Eat Healthy
All that processed food for quick dinners isn’t doing you any favors. Too much sugar and sodium actually suppress the immune system. Instead, make an effort to eat only fresh foods with no preservatives or artificial sweeteners. Opt for fruits, veggies, and lean meats.
Exercise
It is important to stay active because it increases cells in your body that help fight off bad stuff, like infections. So remember to take a break from studying every so often and go for a walk. It also helps to decrease stress.
Stress
Make time to relieve stress in your busy schedule to get outside. Being in the sun increases vitamin D levels, which many of us don’t get enough of. Vitamin D is necessary in helping your body fight off disease and increase your mood. If you have no time to spare, bring your homework outside and lay in the grass.
It’s important to remember these keys to a healthy lifestyle, especially when stress leads to bad choices (like fast food and too many alcoholic drinks).Your immune system is not immune to colds and viruses without a little help from you.
Photo Source: http://cdn.sheknows.com/articles/crave/tea_pot.jpg